Serial Number Age

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Ameristar Serial Number: How Old Is My Ameristar Furnace or AC?

Since 2010 the first two digits of a Trane serial number are the year and the next two are the week; older units use a single digit or a year letter. Type the serial number below for the exact month and year.

Decode a Ameristar serial number

Type it exactly as printed. Spaces and dashes don't matter.

About Ameristar

Ameristar is Trane's budget brand and uses the Trane serial code.

Same serial code: Trane, American Standard.

Where to find the serial number

FURNACEMODEL NO.SERIAL NO.17103N6MF4
The serial number is usually labelled "Serial No." Example in the Ameristar format.

Furnace: Take off the front lower panel (turn the power off first). The data plate is a metal or foil sticker on the inside of the door or on the side of the cabinet, next to the blower. The serial number is usually labelled "Serial No.", "S/N" or "Ser. No."

Air conditioner: On the outdoor unit (the condenser), look for the data plate on the side panel, often near the electrical box where the power cables go in. The indoor coil or air handler has its own plate with a different serial number.

How to read a Ameristar serial number

Since 2010 the first two digits of a Trane serial number are the year and the next two are the week; older units use a single digit or a year letter.

2010 to today: starts with 2 digits

YY WW # #####

  1. Digits 1 and 2 are the year: 17 means 2017.
  2. Digits 3 and 4 are the week of the year.

Example: 17103N6MF4

2002 to 2009: 9 characters, starts with 1 digit

Y WW ## L ###

  1. Digit 1 is the last digit of the year: 8 means 2008.
  2. Digits 2 and 3 are the week of the year.

Example: 81422S41G

1983 to 2001: starts with a letter

L WW ######

  1. The first letter is the year: W = 1983, X = 1984, Y = 1985, Z = 1986, B = 1987, C = 1988, D = 1989, E = 1990, F = 1991, G = 1992, H = 1993, J = 1994, K = 1995, L = 1996, M = 1997, N = 1998, P = 1999, R = 2000, S = 2001.
  2. The next two digits are the week of the year.

Example: J1828DWCD

When one serial fits two dates: Published guides disagree about two of the 1983 to 2001 letters: one says S = 2001 and Z = 1986, another has them the other way round, so we show both. Some older serials also fit two formats; the age of the house usually settles it.

Codes from the 1970s and early 1980s (short serials with hyphens) are not decoded yet.

How long does a furnace last?

Most furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Yearly servicing, the local climate and how hard it works all move it within that range. Past 15 years, it is worth getting a replacement price before the unit fails, so you aren't forced into a rushed decision.

Questions

How do I tell how old my Ameristar furnace is?

Find the serial number on the data plate and read it with the Ameristar code: Since 2010 the first two digits of a Trane serial number are the year and the next two are the week; older units use a single digit or a year letter. Or type it into the decoder on this page.

Is the manufacture date printed on the label?

Often, yes, especially on newer units and water heaters. Look for "Mfg. date", "MFD" or "Date of manufacture". If there is a printed date, it is more reliable than decoding the serial number.

Why does my serial number give two possible dates?

Published guides disagree about two of the 1983 to 2001 letters: one says S = 2001 and Z = 1986, another has them the other way round, so we show both. Some older serials also fit two formats; the age of the house usually settles it.

Who makes Ameristar?

Ameristar is made by Trane Technologies. The same serial code is used by Trane, American Standard.

How sure are these dates? Checked against official records (recall notices or data plates with printed dates). How we test the decoder.

Keeping an older furnace going