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How Old Is My Rheem Air Conditioner?
In a Rheem or Ruud heating and cooling serial number, the factory letter is followed by the week and then the year. Type the serial number from your air conditioner's data plate below.
Where the serial number is on a 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 Rheem serial number
In a Rheem or Ruud heating and cooling serial number, the factory letter is followed by the week and then the year.
10 characters, starts with a letter (most units)
L WW YY #####
- The letter is the factory.
- The next two digits are the week of the year: 42 is mid-October.
- The two digits after that are the year: 17 means 2017.
Example: W421724596
Longer serials (14 to 17 characters)
…L WW YY #####
- Find the factory letter near the middle (usually F, G, M, N or W).
- The two digits after it are the week, the next two are the year.
Example: 7143W1519143722
Older units: starts with 4 digits
MM YY L #####
- Digits 1 and 2 are the month.
- Digits 3 and 4 are the year.
Example: 0902C11246
How long does a air conditioner last?
Most air conditioners last 12 to 17 years. Yearly servicing, the local climate and how hard it works all move it within that range. Past 12 years, it is worth getting a replacement price before the unit fails, so you aren't forced into a rushed decision.
Air conditioners made before 2010 almost always use R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced in the US. If an older unit leaks, replacing it is often cheaper than recharging it.
Questions
How do I find the age of my Rheem air conditioner?
In a Rheem or Ruud heating and cooling serial number, the factory letter is followed by the week and then the year. You'll find the serial number on the data plate. 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 long does a Rheem air conditioner last?
Like most air conditioners, a Rheem typically lasts 12 to 17 years with regular servicing.
Related
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 air conditioner going
- Ac condenser coil cleaner: Dirty outdoor coils make an older unit work harder.
- Furnace air filter: The indoor filter matters for cooling too.
- Smart thermostat: Cuts run time on any system, old or new.