How Old Is My York Air Conditioner?
Since late 2004, digits 2 and 4 of a York, Luxaire or Coleman serial number make the year and letter 3 is the month; older serials use two letters. 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 York serial number
Since late 2004, digits 2 and 4 of a York, Luxaire or Coleman serial number make the year and letter 3 is the month; older serials use two letters.
Late 2004 to today
P Y M Y ######
- Character 1 is the factory.
- Characters 2 and 4 together are the year: W0D5… gives 0 and 5, so 2005.
- Character 3 is the month: A = January, B = February, C = March, D = April, E = May, F = June, G = July, H = August, K = September, L = October, M = November, N = December (no I or J).
Example: N0D6653823
1971 to 2004: 4 letters, then 6 digits
P M Y L ######
- Letter 2 is the month (same letters as above).
- Letter 3 is the year: A = 1971 or 1992, B = 1972 or 1993, C = 1973 or 1994, D = 1974 or 1995, E = 1975 or 1996, F = 1976 or 1997, G = 1977 or 1998, H = 1978 or 1999, J = 1979 or 2000, K = 1980 or 2001, L = 1981 or 2002, M = 1982 or 2003, N = 1983 or 2004, P = 1984, R = 1985, S = 1986, T = 1987, V = 1988, W = 1989, X = 1990, Y = 1991.
- Ignore a letter in brackets at the start, such as (S).
Example: WFKM003055
When one serial fits two dates: Year letters A to N were used twice, 21 years apart. Look for the ANSI standard year on the label, the style of the unit, or the age of the house. A 1970s unit is now over 45 years old and rare.
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 York air conditioner?
Since late 2004, digits 2 and 4 of a York, Luxaire or Coleman serial number make the year and letter 3 is the month; older serials use two letters. 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 York air conditioner last?
Like most air conditioners, a York typically lasts 12 to 17 years with regular servicing.
Why does my serial number give two possible dates?
Year letters A to N were used twice, 21 years apart. Look for the ANSI standard year on the label, the style of the unit, or the age of the house. A 1970s unit is now over 45 years old and rare.
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.