Serial Number ID

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1

Originally Posted By: rwills
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Would anyone happen to know how to decipher a serial number of Heil heating and cooling systems to determine the manufacture date? Or, know where to find this type info? Here is an example - Serial # L914213379 - Thanks, BW

2

Originally Posted By: nlewis
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Bob,


I don't have a book or a specific method to decypher the serial #'s. But, on my Comfortmaker(same as Heil) condenser unit, the first two numbers are the year of manufacture.

On heating system gas valves there is a serial number stamped on it with the year of manufacture mixed in with the numbers. That usually helps me date equipment.

Hope this helps

3

Originally Posted By: rray
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For Heil, the first two digits after the letter is the year.


A good general rule of thumb for serial numbers on a lot of home appliances (water heater, furnace, cooling condenser) is that the first four numbers after a letter is the year and the week. There are instances where the digits are reversed and there are instances where the week digits really are the month and day. And there are instances where this general rule of thumb don't work at all. But it appears to work in a good 75-80% of all my cases here, so that is a great place to start.

--
Home inspections. . . .
One home at a time.

4

Originally Posted By: ecrofutt
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I won’t vouch for 100% accuracy of this information, because of the varied sources I’ve picked it up from, but it seems to be accurate so far. Of course, I haven’t had the opportunity to verify all of it.


HVAC AGE CODES IN SERIAL # INFO
Rheem & Rudd: in the middle of the serial number will be a letter "F" the following four numbers are the week and year.

Carrier, Bryant, Payne, Day & Night: Recently (last 20 years or so) the first four numbers in the serial number represent the week and year. Previously, it was a complex series of letters and single digits. Call 905 672-0860 if you get stuck.

Lennox: Either the first two or second two digits are the year, it varies by era, but most of them actually have a separate sticker somewhere that has the year printed on it. Newer ones are first two equals manufacturing plant #, 2nd two are year and letter in fifth slot is month (A thru M minus I). So 5898G 07568 would be Plant # 58, Year of MFR would be 98 and month would be July.

Amana: BLACKHORSE. B=1971 or 1981. (Of course, now that they've been bought by Goodman, who knows what'll happen.)

Goodman: First two digits of the serial number are the year. Second two are the month.
Btu rating is model number..ie; GMP075-3 (75,000 bonnet input)
Compressor is same :serial # 9709088872 (yr1997 wk 09) Tonnage is model # CK361C The first two numbers after the CK (letters) divided by 12 is tons. ie: 36 div by 12= 3 tons.


YORK HVAC DATING
Note: they skip the letters I, O, Q, U, Z.
Year of make indicated by 3rd letter in the serial number.

1971 - A 1992 - A
1972 - B 1993 - B
1973 - C 1994 - C
1974 - D 1995 - D
1975 - E 1996 - E
1976 - F 1997 - F
1977 - G 1998 - G
1978 - H 1999 - H
1979 - J 2000 - J
1980 - K 2001 - K
1981 - L 2002 - L
1982 - M
1983 - N
1984 - P
1985 - R
1986 - S
1987 - T
1988 - V
1989 - W
1990 - X
1991 - Y

--
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections
Georgetown, Kentucky
www.b4uclose.com

5

Originally Posted By: Richard Stanley
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This is valuable info if you want to know when the enclosure or cabinet was manufactured, but, it doesnt tell you or anyone the mfg date of the interior components. I do not include it.

6

Originally Posted By: rray
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Visual clues are pretty evident if interior components have been replaced. I note both in my reports, when the unit was built and if it looks like anything has been replaced. People around here don’t seem to replace anything except the whole thing. This, after all, is a throw-away society we live in.

–
Home inspections. . . .


One home at a time.


7

Originally Posted By: rwills
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Thanks everybody for the great info!


Rich, you’re right it doesn’t tell you if interior components have been replaced but like Russ says, it’s a good starting point. I use the numbers as a rough estimate of the unit itself because as you know, there are some old units that appear almost like brand new, and vice versa! I also check for service maintenance tags which in a lot of cases are far and few between. I also use a range when it comes to approximating age regardless of the serial numbers. P.S. I have breakdown charts of water heater serial #'s if anyone may need them! P.S.S Erby, you should compile a book! icon_idea.gif Thanks again, BW

8

Originally Posted By: nlewis
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So what I want to know is…Why isn’t the f**ing date of manufacture just printed on the piece of equipment. I can always just turn over the toilet tank lid… icon_smile.gif

9

Originally Posted By: gbeaumont
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Hi Neal


that would be way too easy icon_smile.gif


and what would Preston.com do for a living


Regards

Gerry

--
Gerry Beaumont
NACHI Education Committee
e-mail : education@nachi.org
NACHI phone 484-429-5466

Inspection Depot Education
gbeaumont@inspectiondepot.com

"Education is a journey, not a destination"

10

Originally Posted By: rwills
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Neal, I’ve had better luck finding the date on the heater than on the toilet tank lid! icon_lol.gif especially in the older homes where they too were probably replaced. BW

11

Originally Posted By: rray
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The book’s already been compiled. It’s called “Technical Reference Guide” and is published by Carson Dunlop. Everyone should get one.

–
Home inspections. . . .


One home at a time.


12

Originally Posted By: rwills
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Russell, Actually I have been scoping that book out on the Carson Dunlop website but didn’t find enough info there about it to tell if it contains info on what I may need or 400 items I may never come across. Do you own one? If so, does it cover most popular brands we find in homes? and is it worth $70. Thanks, BW

13

Originally Posted By: rray
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It covers most, if not all, popular brands and it is worth $470, but you can get it for the discounted price of $70.

–
Home inspections. . . .


One home at a time.


14

Originally Posted By: mbailey
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Russel,


Is the Carson Dunlop book a good enough resource by itself or does it work best in conjunction another source - such as Preston?s guide? I would appreciate your further thoughts ?

--
Mark Bailey
Stonegate Property Inspections LLC
Ponca, NE

15

Originally Posted By: rray
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Mark Bailey wrote:
Is the Carson Dunlop book a good enough resource by itself or does it work best in conjunction another source - such as Preston?s guide?


I don't yet have the Preston guide (I will get it, don't worry), so for me it does work as an stand-alone book. I have been very impressed with it and marvel that it only costs $470 and that they have discounted it to $70.

--
Home inspections. . . .
One home at a time.