Bradford White serials start with two letters: the first is the year and the second the month. The year letters repeat every 20 years, so N can mean 1996 or 2016. NH12345678 was built in August 2016. An eight-digit number after the letters means the tank was made in December 2007 or later.
| Serial | Built |
|---|---|
| NH12345678 | August 2016 (eight digits, so not 1996) |
| TC12345678 | March 2019 |
Because the year letters repeat every 20 years, the number of digits after the letters is what tells the two decades apart. If it's still unclear, look for a printed date on the plate.
Codes based on a week number give the month only approximately. If the plate prints a manufacture date (often labeled MFG or MFD), trust that over the serial.
| Equipment | Typical service life |
|---|---|
| Tank water heater | 6–12 years |
Source: InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. Maintenance, water quality and climate all move these numbers.
Age doesn't mean a unit has to be replaced; it tells you when to start planning. A replacement you schedule costs less than one you buy the night it fails. If it's near the end of its range, write down the model, serial and capacity now, so a contractor can quote the right replacement without a trip just to read the plate.
Scan the nameplate and Answer3 Vault reads the serial, works out the age, saves the model and the maker's parts list, and reminds you before the unit reaches the end of its life.
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