Arizona weather can be extreme, which is why it’s important to keep your HVAC system in working order. One way to do this is to record each component’s age and have it inspected, especially as the system gets older. Figuring out the age is relatively straightforward, as long as you know where to check.
2 Steps for Identifying Your HVAC System’s Age
You can find and decode the age of your HVAC system from its serial number. Contractors typically get busy when summer and winter roll in, so having that information ready by then can help reduce the number of steps they need to take.
1. Find the Serial Number
The first step is to identify the HVAC component’s serial number. It is often on the data plate or sticker on the unit’s outdoor panel, but this may vary depending on the component and model type.
You can start with the outer panel, then search online for a more accurate location description.
2. Check Brand Reference Guide
Once you’ve located the serial number, the next step is to interpret it correctly. Many HVAC manufacturers encode the manufacture date within the serial number, but not always in a straightforward way. Some brands include the year directly, while others use letter codes or unique formats.
Start by identifying the manufacturer (usually listed on the same data plate), then search for that brand’s serial number format guide. Many manufacturers have reference guides, such as the Building Intelligence Center, explain how to read their serial numbers.
The HVAC Serial Number Cheat Sheet
Some coding systems for serial numbers can make it difficult to identify which digits or letters correspond to the component’s age. To help you out, here’s a guide to HVAC serial numbers by major brands.
Carrier
Carrier is one of the most popular HVAC brands. However, it offers a variety of formats that can differ from model to model. For example, one style places the year of production as the third and fourth digits, with the week typically placed as the first two numbers. Another style has the year as the first two digits, followed by the month.
Goodman
Goodman is also widely used and is an independent subsidiary of the Daikin Group. You can typically look at the first two numbers to determine the year of production. The two digits next to it are the month. There may also be styles where they use letters, but that’s subject to the component and model.
Amana
Amana is also under the Daikin group, which means its serial numbers follow roughly the same format as Goodman. A component’s manufacturing year is consistently the first two numbers for all components. There may be times when the following two are the month, but there are also styles where it’s solely the year included.
Trane
Trane has a myriad of serial number formats due to past mergers and acquisitions. In the primary style, the first letter or one to two digits typically corresponds to a year. There are styles where the letter at the end could be the manufacturing date, so it’s best to seek professional help with these models.
Why the Age of Your HVAC System Matters in Arizona
HVAC system age affects performance and energy efficiency. Older models often struggle to maintain comfort and humidity.
Keeping components past their prime can also require more energy just to produce the same output, which can strain your energy bills and risk damage. Considering that air conditioners only have a lifespan of 15+ years (depending on maintenance history and environment), it’s much better to get your systems sorted out before the extreme Arizona summers.
When to Call for an HVAC Inspection
Checking the components yourself already makes you one step ahead of many homeowners, since only 31% of them often perform an overall visual inspection. You can use online platforms that offer a free HVAC serial number lookup in their database to find model specs or replacement options.
However, don’t be afraid to seek professional inspection and repair. A specialist can confirm the age of your HVAC system, assess the unit’s overall health and identify potential issues before they become significant problems.
Get the Age of Your HVAC System Today
Check the age of your HVAC system, especially if it’s been a while since your last record. If it’s past its regular lifespan, examine its condition and call in a professional to conduct their own inspection. You can’t fail an inspection. Instead, these processes aim to provide recommendations for improving parts of your home. So, the best way to ensure everything is running as it should is to make use of professional inspectors — schedule your booking today!
