American Appliance water heater age - InspectionNews

Patrick McAvoy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 09:55 AM

Could someone please help me determine the age of this electric water heater? Maybe Dec of 1990 but would this be the fifth one made?

John Arnold · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 10:47 AM

How about where it says March 1979 (hey, that's when my daughter was born!). Or is that the UL listing date? Anyhow, what with 1971 ANSI date and that 1979, I'm thinking maybe 23rd week of 1981? Clearly, I don't know.

Tim Moreira · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 11:12 AM

I'm gonna go with the Dec 90.

If it is from 79-81 then it is going to be 26-28 years old. Not saying it can't be, but that is waaaaaaaaaay passed the life expectancy of an electric water heater.

Even if it is from 90, it should be replaced really soon.

Richard Moore · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 11:51 AM

Unless they lovingly hand made 10 or less heaters a month, the serial number just doesn't make much sense as a date code. My guess would be very early 80's based on the 1979 date (and the yellowing of the label). Anything newer or within the normal lifespan of a water heater would probably have a much more recognizable label.

I'd report it as "actual age unknown but probably at least 20 years old and in need of replacement for preventative reasons".

Richard Rushing · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 12:29 PM

I would bet that it is 12/90. The '5' at the end would be the 'batch' number. In December of that month and at that plant (plant 'J') they would release builds in a 'batch' sequence.

If there is a quality control issue, they can isolate the batch (maybe 1000 or so units) by the Model# and the Serial# that would tell the quality control folks to quarrantine batch '5' in the event of a defect was found.

Richard

Jerry Peck · #6 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 01:07 PM

If you look at the label, between where it says "MAX." and "CAP.", which are above the "WATTS" and "U.S.GALS", you will see an out-of-place number, 8106.

That is for 1981, and either 06 week or 06 month. Either Feb/1981 or June/1981.

John Arnold · #7 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 01:14 PM

Yippeee! What do I win?

Tim Moreira · #8 (**permalink**) 04-15-2007, 11:59 PM

Not disagreeing, but a 26 year old electric water heater should be sent to the Smithsonian for display.

Wilson Hash · #9 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 03:39 PM

Please click on link for all water heater dates
Home inspector resources and information for the home inspection industry

wayne soper · #10 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 05:30 PM

Now that's a good one. Thankyou. You're the man Bill!

Victor DaGraca · #11 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 05:42 PM

Anyone know of a similar chart for HVAC units?

Jerry Peck · #12 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 10:30 PM

To add to that list:

US Water Heater is the same as Bradford White and Lochinvar, 'P' = 1997, except that some were marked with 'O'.

Also, the months are incorrect.

BW goes A-Jan, B, C, D-April, E, F, G, H-Aug, J, K, L, M-Dec

Another tidbit missing from that list is the State post dates theirs by 3 months. I.e., you can actually find State water heaters installed before they were made.

State does this to allow for a 3 month lag in distribution, warehousing, and installation. I know, because the first time I found one installed before it was made I called State to find out what was going on. Apparently, the time between manufacture and installation during boom times is much shorter than their 3 month allowance.

I just gave that list a quick glance and found the above.