If you’re one of those people who aren’t great at remembering specific dates, we totally get it; no judgment! Dates can be a real pain to remember, especially when you’ve got a bunch of homeowner responsibilities on your plate. But here’s the thing, knowing your water heater’s age is pretty important. Why, you ask? Well, if your water heater has been chugging along for quite some time, it might be nearing the end of its life. So, if you have no clue how old your water heater is, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise when it decides to call it quits, and you’re left scrambling to find a replacement.
If you want to know how old your water heater is, your friends at Five Star Dayton Plumbing can guide you through these simple steps to help determine its age.
HOW LONG DO WATER HEATERS LAST?
On average, a gas water heater that’s well-maintained can last anywhere from 8 to 12 years, while an electric water heater that’s taken care of can typically last around 10 to 15 years. Of course, the actual lifespan of a unit depends on how well it’s been looked after over the years.
HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT HOW OLD YOUR WATER HEATER IS?
If you want to find out how old your unit is, try looking for the manufacture date. Just keep in mind that most water heater models don’t have the manufacture date clearly labeled on the unit. In other words, you won’t easily find the words “manufacture date” on the unit itself. Instead, you’ll usually find the manufacture date coded within the serial number. It might vary depending on the brand and model, though!
Step One:
- First, let’s start by checking the product label. On the water heater, you should be able to find a label with all the important information about the unit, including the serial number.
- If you have the user manual that came with the water heater, give it a try. It might have some helpful tips on where to find the serial number.
- And if you still can’t locate the serial number physically, try hopping onto the manufacturer’s website. They usually have a support or product information section that can guide you in finding the serial number.
Step Two:
- So, once you’ve found the serial number, the next step is to decode it and find the manufacture date. Keep in mind that different manufacturers have their own formats for serial numbers, but they usually follow a similar pattern. Basically, the serial number contains the date of manufacture.
- The easiest thing you can do is check the manufacturer’s website to see if they have a tool for decoding the manufacture date. If not, you can use your online investigative skills by typing your water heater’s brand, serial number, and the phrase “manufacture date” into your favorite search engine, then click. You’ll find several sites with detailed instructions on decoding your specific model’s manufacture date.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A REPLACEMENT?
Great job! You did it! Now that you’ve figured out how old your water heater is, are you thinking you might need a replacement soon? There’s a lot to consider when it comes to your replacement options. So, let us help lighten the load! We can answer any questions you have or even chat about our financing options. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today!
Call Five Star Dayton Plumbing today at (937) 230-6506, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
