Serial Number Age

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Bradford White Water Heater Age by Serial Number

The first letter of a Bradford White serial number is the year and the second letter is the month; the year letters repeat every 20 years. Type the serial number below for the exact month and year.

Decode a Bradford White serial number

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

About Bradford White

Bradford White water heaters are sold through plumbers rather than stores. The serial number starts with two letters: the first is the year and the second is the month.

Where to find the serial number

WATER HEATERMODEL NO.SERIAL NO.EF10718168
The serial number is usually labelled "Serial No." Example in the Bradford White format.

Water heater: The rating plate is a sticker on the side of the tank, usually at eye level or just above the gas valve or the upper access panel. Many water heater labels also print the manufacture date, so check for that first.

How to read a Bradford White serial number

The first letter of a Bradford White serial number is the year and the second letter is the month; the year letters repeat every 20 years.

2 letters, then numbers

Y M #######

  1. Letter 1 is the year: A = 1984 or 2004, B = 1985 or 2005, C = 1986 or 2006, D = 1987 or 2007, E = 1988 or 2008, F = 1989 or 2009, G = 1990 or 2010, H = 1991 or 2011, J = 1992 or 2012, K = 1993 or 2013, L = 1994 or 2014, M = 1995 or 2015, N = 1996 or 2016, P = 1997 or 2017, S = 1998 or 2018, T = 1999 or 2019, W = 2000 or 2020, X = 2001 or 2021, Y = 2002 or 2022, Z = 2003 or 2023. From 2024 the cycle starts again at A.
  2. Letter 2 is the month.

Example: EF10718168

Month letters: A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H = August, J = September, K = October, L = November, M = December (there is no I).

When one serial fits two dates: Because the letters repeat every 20 years, one serial fits two years. Look at the label for the standard it was tested to (for example "ANSI Z21.10.1-2004"): the heater cannot be older than that year. A tank in a house built after the earlier date must be the later one.

How long does a water heater last?

Most water heaters last 8 to 12 years. Yearly servicing, the local climate and how hard it works all move it within that range. Past 8 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 Bradford White water heater is?

Find the serial number on the data plate and read it with the Bradford White code: The first letter of a Bradford White serial number is the year and the second letter is the month; the year letters repeat every 20 years. 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?

Because the letters repeat every 20 years, one serial fits two years. Look at the label for the standard it was tested to (for example "ANSI Z21.10.1-2004"): the heater cannot be older than that year. A tank in a house built after the earlier date must be the later one.

Who makes Bradford White?

Bradford White is made by Bradford White Corporation.

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 water heater going