Life expectancy of a Hoyt water heater:

This article describes how to read the data tag and de-code its numbers to determine the age of a Hoyt water heater.

We explain the current and past ownership of Hoyt water heaters and give company contact information. We show typical water heater data tag model and serial number formats and note where in that information the year or week or month and year are encoded in the Hoyt water heater serial number.

How to De-Code the Data Tag on a Hoyt Water Heater - Age Determination

Hi Test Hoyt Water Heater Age De-Coding Tips

Query: (Nov 5, 2012) Alexandra said: I am trying to find the age of my Hi Test Hoyt water heater.

The Serial is SN A87RNH1373190, model A40HM

Reply (mod): best guess 1987

[Click to en large any image]

Most likely the year is following that "A" and denotes 1987.

The Hoyt Water Heater company "... have been engaged in the business of manufacturing, selling, repairing and servicing water heaters in Los Angeles since 1911 under the trade name of Hoyt Heater Company and Hoyt Automatic Water Heater Company." - Hoyt Heater Co. v. Hoyt 68 Cal. App. 2d 523

Hoyt was subsequently purchased by American Water Heaters or the American Water Heater Group. Details are

at HOYT WATER HEATER HISTORY

From Carson Dunlop Associates Associates Technical Reference Guide, the most complete HVAC and water heater age decoding guide available, for many Hoyt water heaters, the first two digits of the serial give the year and the second the week of manufacture.

Adding to what my mom calls "a lot of 'who struck john'" confusion,

1. A.O. Smith owns GSW
2. GSW in turn owns American Water Heater Company (AWHC)
3. AHWC in turn owns Polaris.
4. American Water Heater Group, 500 Princeton Rd., Johnson City TN 37601 Tel: 800-999-9591 Website: www.americanwaterheater.com

Reader question: 2018/03/04 carynbouche said:

I have a Hoyt Electric Water Heater...Serial No. E 2260. Model No. .42ER 240V / 4500W / 42 Gals.

I have to change the elements.

I have tried to find the 4 bolt flanged mounted , with porcelain isolated contacts ,electric heating element on line .. I have no idea of what it looks like inside, as for I would like to replace the elements at the same time when I find the replacement parts.

there's only one element out now, and I still need my hot water.

If you can provide a cross reference or any information as to another element type i could use and where I can get two of them, It would be Greatly appreciated. also Im on a set income , so anything in a reduced price would also be very helpful.

Mod reply: four-bolt electric water heater replacement elements

Caryn: there are many generic and standard four-bolt replacement water heater elements available at your local plumber supplier, at Home Depot & Lowes stores, and online from large suppliers such as grainger.com.

Typical electric water heater replacement elements cost less than $20. U.S.

Watch out: working on any water heater, particularly an old one, risks discovering corrosion, leak damage, or other conditions that may make repair impossible.

Also take care to KEEP ELECTRICAL POWER OFF until the heater has been completely re-filled. Turning on an empty or partly empty electric water heater for even a moment will burn up and destroy its heating elements.

See ELECTRIC WATER HEATER ELEMENT REPLACEMENT for details. Match the element length and mounting plate to those on your water heater.

Reader question: (Jan 22, 2018) hmgrn1 said:

Would like to know how old my Hoyt water heater is. It's a Model 30 serial # 24337 and how long it might last.

...

I don't know, HM but a guess could be based on spotting a credible year in the serial number. Tell us when your home was constructed as that sets a floor under possible water heater age.

Above and below: Hoyt Copper Heart water heaters used a corrosion-resistant copper tank described by the company as

High Strength Everdur Tanks Can't Rust. Years and years of constant, sparkling hot water service are yours when you get a Hoyt Water Heater with a "full-floating" tank constructed of strong, tough, RUST-PROOF Everdur® (96% Copper). The Hoyt "Copper Heart" Water Heater assures you plenty of steaming hot water - year-in and year-out.

Reader Query: (Nov 11, 2015) Chris said:

I am trying to find the age of my hot water heater. it is a hoyt and has the serial number: 544872.

Reply: I'm guessing from several reader serial numbers provided that in the 1980's Hoyt Hi-Test water heater age was encoded in positions 4&5 of the serial number: in your case 1987

Reader query: 2016/06/05 David Stackhouse said:

Trying to find out age and value of Hoyt automatic water heater; size 3 serial number 16372 patent July 15th 1919.

Feel free to contact me at dndstack@live.com for pictures if necessary

This question was posted originally at AGE of WATER HEATERS

Reply:

This heater has a short serial number - send me a photo of its labels and I'll try to research it further; If I had to guess from just what's given it'd be 1972.

Reader question: (Aug 17, 2017) John said:

I bought a house new in 1987, contractor installed a Hoyt gas 50 gallon water heater. It is now 2017 and it is still working. I know you're supposed to drain them once in awhile and never did that once.

Only thing I can tell is it takes a little longer for the water to get to the kitchen and the upstairs like 30 seconds before I have scalding hot water. Would like to buy another one like this and install. They don't make them like they used to.

Sounds to me like Hoyt had been bought by another company that owns a couple other companies. Question can you still buy a Hoyt 50 gallon gas water heater?

(mod) said:

No, John, Hoyt water heaters are no longer sold under that brand.

Below: A Hoyt Energy Master water heater logo identifies the brand and model of this water heater. This water heater used an internally-coated tank to give long life. It was a successor to the Hoyt Copper Heart Everdur® water heater.

Reader question: (July 16, 2017) Hoyt said:
Does it supposed to bent at the pilot

(mod) said:

We'd need to see a photo of your heater and pilot; some pilot sensors may be held at an angle with respect to the flame.

Reader question: (Dec 20, 2016) Josh said:

My Hoyt water heater has a Unitrol 400 thermostat on it, and a 50th anniversary sticker. 1961? It still works.

(mod) said:

Great guess, Josh since Hoyt began making heaters ca 1911.

(Reader question: Dec 15, 2016) Lee said:

Can anyone help me determine the age of my Hyot Water heater? Its an Energy Master L85, Model #: 50HMEV.

Serial number is 0001090554. I see a note that its ANSI Z21 10 1 1983 Water Heaters, so at most since 1983.

Its still running well and I don't any rust. My initial guess was possibly 1990. Can anyone help?

Reader question: (Aug 29, 2016) Scott said:

Can anyone tell how old, or where to find how old my HOYT Energy Master water heater is?

The Model Number is: 100 HMEV, the Model Name is: HOYT SUPER, and the

Serial Number is: I86RN01281083. I cannot seem to find anything online.

(mod) said:

Scott the age is usually encoded in the serial number. From other examples I think you unit is from 1986 (taking the 2nd 2 digits of the serial number).

Age is also sometimes encoded in the other end of the serial: Oct 1983.

(Oct 31, 2016) Sonja said: Long-lasting Hoyt water heater

Our house has a Hoyt water heater. It is the original one. It is 30 years old. We have lived here for 15 years.

We have never had anything done to it. I don't think any of the former owners did either. It is still going strong. We don't know whether to have it replaced or hold out. That is fantastic that they last this long. I know another brand will not last that long.

(mod) said:

Sonja,

While your Hoyt water heater has lasted longer than many water heaters do, I would not replace it simply because it's old. As long as the heater is not leaking and is working to heat your hot water, I'd give it a reprieve: let it keep going.

But I would inspect for evidence of leaks, both small or pending. Look for rust stains around the heater body, especially around the heater base.

Look for water drip stains on the floor around the heater. If it's a gas or oil fired heater, look inside the combustion chamber for signs of rust - a heater may have a small leak that evaporates before it leaves water on the floor.

If leaks are found in the water heater body (as opposed to at a plumbing connection or relief valve) t's time for a new heater.

Question: life expectancy of a Hoyt Hi-Test water heater

(Mar 5, 2014) SA said:

Regarding life expectancy: I purchased a 50-gallon Hoyt Hi-Test water heater on 28 Aug 1986 from Orchard Supply Hardware for $169.88. Serial #1148036. I replaced this unit today, having received nearly 28 years of excellent service from it.

A few days ago, it began leaking. The reason for the longevity of service is probably because it has been used with soft water. Coincidentally, my plumber chose a new unit manufactured by American Water Heater Company, the same company that bought Hoyt. 4 Mar 2014

Reply:

Thanks SA for this posting, having real reports of heater life are very helpful to everyone. I agree that water chemistry is a significant factor in heater life. Tell us - did you ever in 28 years drain and flush the water heater as manufacturers recommend or were you able to get away with skipping that task (as does almost everyone)?

Troubling is that it's not easy to find a "1986" in your water heater's serial number. I suspect it was made on day 114 of 1980 and had been in stock even when you purchased it, but that's just a guess. We see from various reader comments and questions that Hoyt Hi-Test water heater age encoding in serial numbers is a bit variable.

Reader follow-up:

(Mar 9, 2014) SA said:

You're welcome, Count me in with "almost everyone," it was not even on my radar. The Hoyt water heater was never once drained and flushed during its 28-year life. But, most likely due to our water softener system, when the Hoyt was drained for the first time a few days ago, no sediment came out of the hose.

I will be paying closer attention to our new water heater. But somehow, I don't expect to get the same kind of longevity from the new unit.

Reply:

I agree that too often newer equipment, even by the same manufacturer, may have a shorter life; thinner steel, push to reduce production costs &c;

If you have not tossed out the old heater it would be instructive to pull the sacrificial anode to take a look at its condition; photos of the heater and its data tag and of the anode would be valuable to our readers if they're within your scope and not too much work. The CONTACT link on our pages works for sending pix if you like.

Question: Hoyt water heater, serial number 93355 control mechanism needed

2016/09/07 Bob DeGroot said:

Hoyt water heater, serial number 93355, 75 gallon copper storage tank, has quit working. the thermocupler (sic?) was not the issue according to our plumber.

The control mechanism itself may need to be repaired or rebuilt in order to fix the problem. Can I find this original piece, or can it be rebuilt?

Reply:

Bob

Your question was originally posted

at DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER a home heating boiler article - perhaps because Google's search found "hot water heating boiler" or some such.

I'm not sure just what "control mechanism" we're looking for here. ( I suspect you mean the water heater thermostatic control. )

Hoyt water heaters went out of production in about 1989 or 1990. Many water heater parts are, however, generic and can be replaced by a generic control. Hoyt - at least the Hoyt water heater brand, was purchased by American Water Heaters. So you might also find a suitable part from that company.

Contact information for American water heaters is

at WATER HEATER AGE & MANUALS - home

History of the Hoyt Water Heater Company

Hoyt or "Hoytt" produced water heaters in the Los Angeles California area from 1911 until 1989 when the company was purchased

by AMERICAN WATER HEATER [web article]

Hoyt & its predecessors in name manufactured, sold, repaired & serviced in Los Angeles and other areas of California beginning 1911 under the trade name of Hoyt Heater Company. Hoyt water heaters were produced and sold under these trade names:

Hoyt C.H. Co., Hoyt C.H. Automatic Water Heater Repair Service and Supply Co., Hoyt Automatic Water Heater Company, A.A. Automatic Hoyt A-1 Water Heating Co., Automatic Hoyt Hot Water Heater Repair Service Co.

Robert C. Hoyt, whose name appears on most of the Hoyt water heater and heater related patents in this series, lived in Oakland California, in Alameda County. The earliest patent we found by him was for a gas heater patented in 1925 and cited below.

Avoid these inventor points of confusion: Don't confuse Robert C. Hoyt with another American inventor, Roy C. Hoyt who was from Duluth, Minnesota and who patented brake mechanisms in the 1940s. We also found some US Patent files mislabeled, such as Adrian H. Herr's 1912 Patent 1,946,465 for an electric shunt connection that has been digitized and misnamed as patented by A. H. Hoyt.

The last corporate filing we found for the Hoyt Heater Company was a Statement & Designation By Foreign Corporation in the State of California. Hoyt Water Heater company has not been active since April 14, 1981 as recorded in documents filed with California Secretary of State.

Following its operations in Los Angeles California, the last known address for Hoyt was 50 W. Liberty St., Reno NV 89501. Do not attempt to contact the company at that address as it is no longer current.

Stead Company who absorbed Hoyt filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy ca 18 August 1988 according to The Reno Gazette-Journal cited below.

HOYT HEATER COMPANY was incorporated on 14 Apr 1981 as Foreign Stock company type registered at 50 W LIBERTY ST, RENO, NV 89505.

The jurisdiction for this foreign stock company is NEVADA. The agent name of this company is: C T CORPORATION SYSTEM ,and company's status is listed as SOS/FTB Forfeited.

Interesting note: Kevin Wheeler, currently the chairman and CEO of A.O. Smith water heaters, first worked in the water heater industry as an employee of the Hoyt water heater company in 1984.

Hoyt Water Heater History, Research & Patents

• Hoyt, Robert C. GAS HEATER [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,524,864, issued February 3, 1925. [Illustrated above, this is the earliest Hoyt water heater patent that we have found - Ed.]
  
  Excerpt:
  My invention relates in general to gas heaters of the radiator type, and has for its primary object to provide a heater of this character embodying several distinctive features with resultant improvements in effectiveness, such as, greater simplicity in construction, economy of fuel, ease in lighting, pre warming the entering air to the radiator, radiating the heat chiefly from the front columns of the radiator by retarding the heat units there through, and providing for a comparatively cool floor surface directly under the radiator.

• Hoyt, R.C., AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER VALVE [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,595,400, August 10, 1926 [Illustrated above]
  Excerpt:
  
  My invention relates to automatic water heaters, and it has special reference to such heaters in which a valve mechanism, controlled by the differential of water pressure caused by the turning on and off of service faucets, is provided for actuating the gas valve mechanism of the heater.

• Hoyt, Robert C. WATER HEATER JACKET [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,607,127, issued November 16, 1926.
  
  Excerpts:
  
  An important object of my invention is to construct a heater jacket in such a manner that, when back drafts occur in the vent to the heater, the increased air pressure is diverted from the burner and the pilot light so that neither of them can be extinguished thereby.
  
  A further object. of the invention is to provide for air to pass between the walls of the jacket and which air tends to cool the outer wall so that no insulating material is required between the walls, thus making the jacket inexpensive, lighter and easier to handle as well as easier to assemble.

• Hoyt, Robert C. WATER HEATER COIL [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,614,242, issued January 11, 1927.

• Hoyt, Robert C. WATER HEATER BASE [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,666,093, issued April 17, 1928. [shown above]

• Hoyt, Robert C. WATER HEATER GAS BURNER [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,666,094, issued April 17, 1928. [shown above]

• Hoyt, Robert C. ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,727,881, issued September 10, 1929. [shown above]
  Excerpts:
  
  It is an object of my invention to provide a generally improved electric liquid heater.
  
  It is an object of my invention to provide for greater heating capacity than has heretofore been common in electric water heaters; and to provide this increased capacity with minimum overall dimension of heating member.
  
  It is an object of my invention to design a compact heating member for electric heaters in general, and for water heaters in particular; and it is a further object of my invention to design a water heater best adapted to incorporated such a member.
  
  It will be understood of course, that compactness of an electric heating member is limited by difficulties of effective heat transfer therefrom.
  
  It is an object of my invention to provide a relatively small heat ing member having a large exposed surface; particularly a maximum of outwardly-directed exposed radiating surface, whereby heat transfer is facilitated.
  
  It is an object of my invention to prevent destructive overheating of the electric heating units of a heater; especially of a water heater.

• Hoyt, Reginald H. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ELECTRICAL CONDENSERS [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,715,035, issued May 28, 1929. [Illustrated above]

• Hoyt, Robert C. WATER HEATER GAS BURNER [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,756,748, issued April 29, 1930. [Illustrated above]

• Hoyt, Robert C. AUTOMATIC WATER-HEATER CONTROL VALVE [PDF] U.S. Patent 1,786,948, issued December 30, 1930. [above]
  Excerpt:
  
  ... invention relates to improvements in mechanism operative to control the supply of fluid fuel to the burner of an automatic water heater and particularly to mechanism C. Hoyt, No. 1,595,400, dated August 10, 1926, in which a fuel. supply Valve .is arranged to be directly operated by a differential piston which is automatically actuated in accordance with the turning on and off of service faucets.

• Hoyt, Leroy W. WATER COMPENSATOR FOR FORCED FLOW WATER SYSTEM INCLUDING AN EXPANSION TANK [PDF] U.S. Patent 2,901,176, issued August 25, 1959. [illustrated above]
  
  Excerpt: This invention relates to heating and cooling systems, in which water is circulated from the heat exchanger, either a boiler or cooler, through a heating or cooling system, and to which an expansion tank is connected, and has for an object to provide a compensator device in such a system which will discharge water to or absorb water from this system to compensate for the amount of water forced into the expansion tank by increase of pressure in the system when the circulating pump or booster is operating, and to reabsorb this amount of water when the circulating pump is not operating, and also to eliminate return of air to the system after it has been vented.

Litigation involving Hoyt Water Heater Co.

• HOYT HEATER CO. V. HOYT, CIV. NO. 14815. SECOND DIST., DIV. TWO. MAR. 27, 1945 [PDF], retrieved 2018/03/08, original source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2d/68/523.html
  
  The Hoyt water heater company, acting under its trade names Hoyt Heater Co. and Hoyt Automatic Water Heater Co. successfully sued to stop Charles H. Hoyt, a Los Angeles County California plumber, from doing business under the same name, asserting that it misled the public to think that Charles Hoyt was associated with the Hoyt Water Heater company.
  
  The Hoyt Water Heater company had been doing business under its names in California, including in LA, since 1911.

• Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Nevada, 18 August 1988, p. 26, retrieved 2018/03/08, original source: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152845296/
  Excerpts below:
  
  Stead company seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy
  
  The Hoyt plant has a "skeleton crew," still making heaters, she said. The firm's executives hope to keep the business running by selling some assets to generate revenue, she said. Hoyt management contends its financial problems occurred after State Industries Inc., another heater manufacturer, violated California antitrust laws, said Richard Horton, another attorney representing the Nevada company.
  
  Hoyt contends State allegedly sold heaters at prices lower than production costs, deeply cutting into its sales market, he said. One year ago Hoyt filed suit in Federal District Court in San Francisco against State, the largest California distributor of hot water heaters, Horton said. State, which has headquarters in Ashland City, Term., at the same time filed suit against Hoyt in Reno federal court. State's suit contends Hoyt is using a process the Tennessee firm patented, but the Nevada company denies it, Horton said.
  
  No State executives could be reached to comment at that company's Tennessee offices late Wednesday. In the pending suits, both companies seek more than $10,000 from each other and attorneys' fees, Horton said.
  
  Interviewed by the Gazette-Journal in March 1984, Dan Lannes said Hoyt made 1,200 models of gas, electric and solar water heaters for various businesses and industrial developers.
  
  A voluntary petition was filed Aug. 10 in Reno Federal Bankruptcy Court by Stead Industries, Inc., doing business as Hoyt Heater Co. The document says that as of June 30, 1988, Hoyt had assets of $13.7 million and the same amount of liabilities. The petition says two creditors are owed secured debt of $6.7 million, and 347 creditors t , l ii i : - i By Wayne MeltonGaiette-Joumal
  
  Hoyt Heater Co., a Stead hot water heater maker that contends it's a victim of a major competitor violating antitrust laws, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
  
  Hoyt's 100,000-square-foot plant remains open at 14290 Lear Blvd. The 78-year-old company moved to Stead from Oakland, Calif., in 1982. Its personnel manager, David Luther, declined comment on the bankruptcy. Earlier this month he said Hoyt employed 200. Co-owners Dan and Stephen Lannes could not be reached for comment.
  
  Hoyt's bankruptcy attorney, Jennifer Smith Flangas, said there have been a number of recent layoffs, but she doesn't know how many. Some or all laid-off workers will be rehired as needed, she said.
  
  ... Hoyt reported it has three stockholders and 12,835 common stock shares. ... Dan Lannes, board chairman, and Stephen Lannes each directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 20 percent or more of voting securities, the document says. The exact amount each owns was not listed. Hoyt listed 20 creditors with the largest unsecured claims. Topping the list is Robertshaw-Grayson Division of Long Beach, Calif., which is owed $1.12 million.
  
  Other top creditors and amounts they're owed include: Nichimen American, Inc., of San Francisco, $509,000; Willamette Industries of Cerritos, Calif., $382,600; Punch Press Products of Los Angeles, $354,000; and California Steel Industries of Pasadena, Calif., $246,500.
  
  The petition says Hoyt has filed no previous bankruptcies.
• Miller, Chuck, "A Little Place in the City, even though a house is small it doesn't have to feel that way", Fine Home Building Magazine, October/November 1982, p 45
  
  Excerpt: A 20-gallon Hoyt water heater (Hoyt Heater Co., P.O. Box 60129, Reno, Nev. 89506) is tucked under the counter to the right of the sink. Measuring a mere 25Yz in. high by 22 in. in diameter, including its thermal blanket, the heater runs on 1 10 volts, needs its own 20-amp circuit, and has to be used judiciously-it doesn't reheat very fast.
  
• HOYT WATER HEATER CO., 282 NLRB 1348, 1357(1987) [PDF] Stead Industries, Inc., d/b/a Hoyt Water Heater Company and International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Local 39. Case 32-CA- 7554 19 February 1987 DECISION AND ORDER BY CHAIRMAN DOTSON AND MEMBERS JOHANSEN AND STEPHENS
  
  Excerpts: - random or isolated viewing of a union gathering by an employer agent is not prohibited surveillance.
  
  The record reveals that on 2 October 19852 employee Ronald Bailey walked through the Respondent's facility shouting, "They just fired me for Union activity" and announced, "Union meeting at my house tomorrow at 3:30."
  
  Employee Brad Holmquist, who went to the meeting, credibly testified that on 3 October, after parking his car at an intersection with a clear view of Bailey's house, he observed President and Coowner Dan Lannes drive past the house during the meeting.
  
  Five minutes later he saw Manufacturing Vice President Jim Bridegum and Industrial Relations Manager David Luther drive past Bailey's house together.
  
  All were driving very slowly, Holmquist testified, and were "looking around at homes and parked cars."
  
  The record further discloses that although the three managers were called as witnesses by the Respondent, none testified about the alleged surveillance incident.
  
  On the subject of Bailey's termination, however, Bridegum testified that he was concerned about whether employees believed Bailey was discriminatorily discharged and that he met with leadmen and held other meetings with employees in the 2 days following Bailey's termination to ascertain their understanding and to inform them that Bailey quit.
  
  In spite of the foregoing evidence, the judge found that the managers' conduct was "suspect" but that the "General Counsel has failed to sustain the burden of raising the suspicion to proof of un-lawful surveillance."
• State Industries, Inc. v. Mor-Flo Industries 883 F.2d 1573 (Fed. Cir. 1989) - patent infringement claim against Hoyt Heater Co., Rheem, Mor-Flo, Bradford White and G.S.W. (A Toronto Ontario company) and others concerning foam insulated water heaters.

 

 

Reader Comments & Q&A on Hoyt Water Heaters

On 2023-01-22 by InspectApedia Editor

@Jane Findarle,

Since your serial number doesn't follow the typical coding pattern, tell us a bit more about it.

How old is the building where this water heater is installed and what is its country and city?

Also, post a photo of the data tag if you can which can help answer the question.

In addition, as we discussed (above on this page) with reader Scott age is also sometimes encoded in the other end of the serial: ex. 1986.

Let's do a sanity check (it's too easy to fool us) by having you tell us

The date found on the manual for the heater if you have that document, or dates on any service tags.

On 2023-01-22 by Jane Findarle

How old is my Hoyt water heater? Serial number is 0000868577

On 2023-01-11 by InspectApedia Publisher - documents can help determine age

@Fiona,

Sure

The Serial is F86RE00257042

Reply (mod): best guess 1986

Most likely the year is following that "F" and denotes 1986.

Let's do a sanity check: how old is the building where this building is installed and what is its country and city?

AND
Pull out that paperwork in the plastic envelope near the bottom of the Hoyt water heater in your photo.

Take a look at the documents and tell me

1. is there a bill or statement from an installer giving the installation date?
2. Post a photo of the owner's manual cover and
3. look for a publication date on the owner's manual and include a photo of that page

You can post one photo or image per comment.

Thanks

On 2023-01-11 by Fiona

Can you help me determine how old this Hoyt hot water heater is? The serial number is F86RE00257042. It began leaking last year and has diminished capacity for hot water. Thank you

On 2022-10-08 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - long lived Hoyt water heater

@Paul Nelson,

Thanks for the comment and the photo of that marvelous and long lived Hoyt water heater. We'll be sure to keep it with this page

On 2022-10-08 by Paul Nelson

We just replaced our water heater, which was in our home when we bought it 35 years ago. I got curious about how old it was, and after reviewing this site it seems like it may be one of the oldest every made, dating to the construction of our house in 1927. Serial number is 631.

That would mean that it worked faithfully for 95 years. It never leaked I would be very interested in your input.

On 2022-09-20 by InspectApedia (Editor)

@BerkPllumb,

Thanks for the photo BerkP.

I think EMBUD is East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, CA 94607 USA - if not then

do give us the country and city of location - links won't post (we deleted yours and found it was not valid anyway.)

On 2022-09-20 by BerkPllumb

Our water is from EBMUD.

It is good water when you can get it.

Lots of bursting ancient water lines from the 1800´s.

Attached photo is an ancient broken gate valve they dug up at 4 am at the corner a few days ago while repairing a broken service line.

On 2022-09-20 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - water chemistry may have helped with heater longevity

@BerkPlumb,

Certainly agree with your conclusions and appreciate the photos. It would be helpful to know the location of this building where the water heater is stalled. Perhaps it's also the case that the water chemistry where you live is a factor in the long life of the water heater.

On 2022-09-20 by BerkPlumb

This is the cold line in. Does not look to me like the dip tube can be replaced. No issues with hot water. The tank must be at least 43 years old. We replaced the original galvinized 1924 pipes at least 15 years ago. Added T &P. Never changed an anode or added magnesium or aluminum etc..

Top of tank. Previous pic was the hot water outlet

It does not look to me like there is way to unscrew any part of the top of the tank itself. None of 4+ the professional plumbers that have inspected it in the 20 years I have used it ever mentioned replacing an anode.

On 2022-09-17 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@BerkPlumb,

We have not been able to find any authoritative source nor any water heater manufacturer who states that a copper water heater tank does not need a sacrificial anode.

The ONLY water heater tank types that we've found excused from the sacrificial anode requirement were those made of stainless steel.

Please take a look at and post a photo of the TOP of your Hoyt copper water heater tank - let's see if there is a tapping provided for a sacrificial anode.

On 2022-09-11 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - Tech support says an all copper tank has no need for a sacrificial anode?

@BerkPlumb,

Thank you for that feedback, that's very interesting and it's a claim that I have not encountered before.

We'll do some further research to see what we can add here about the requirement for or absence of requirement for a sacrificial anode in a copper tank water heater.

On 2022-09-11 by BerkPlumb

Thanks for the info Daniel. Tech support at a major hot water tank company told me that since it is an all copper tank that there is no need for a sacrificial anode. It does not appear that there is a way to unscrew and remove a dip tube. It looks like the connections are permanent.

I am inclined to leave it alone as I have had no issues other than with the thermocouple for the last 20 years.

On 2022-09-07 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - Do old Hoyt copper gas water heaters have a sacrificial anode?

@BerkPlumb,

Thank you for the old Hoyt water heater data tag photo and question.

I don't know for a fact, but if at the water heater tank top you see only two fittings - cold in and hot out - then the cold inlet dip tube that sends incoming cold water to the bottom of the water heater may also have served as the sacrificial anode. That was a common design.

About the water heater's age, with a Hoyt water heater serial number of 4879 I think this water heater was made in week #48 of the year 1979.

PLEASE re-post a sharp photo of your heater's data tag - I accidentally lost your original image.

Thanks.

Daniel

On 2022-09-07 by BerkPlumb

Do old Hoyt copper gas water heaters have a sacrificial anode? I can´t see one on the top, and the sides are not visible because it is wrapped in an insulation blanket and strapped to the wall for seisimic safety. Decades old and still going strong! I added a temperature and pressure relief valve years ago. Is it from 1948?

- Re-posted by Mod who clumsily accidentally deleted this question and photo.

On 2022-06-05 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Vaughn Flaming,

Thank you for that great Hoyt water heater service life report.

Don't feel bad about not flushing the heater's tank during its life. There is a rather large collection of product instructions across many products and manufacturers that no normal person ever follows. Some of those instructions are worth doing and make a difference.

Other product instructions are written with full knowledge that nobody will follow them. I suspect that the intent is to allow a manufacturer to avoid product liability costs.

My favorite example is the evolution of the warning sign seen attached to the back of large trucks that carry debris.
The signs used to read "KEEP BACK 100 ft."

Then they were updated to read "KEEP BACK 600 ft."
and now I see that they often read

"CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE, DO NOT FOLLOW"

to which I ask: "What are we supposed to do, turn around and go in the opposite direction?"

Similarly warranties are both a feature and a marketing tool. So I agree that if you get 15 years out of your 6-year-warranted water heater that will please you, us, and the manufacturer.

Factors affecting water heater life include the chemistry of the water supply, the usual water temperature maintained in the tank, and the volume of hot water used.

Details are at WATER HEATER LIFE

About the copper tank, yes, as you'll read here, some Hoytt water heaters did use a copper tank.

On 2022-06-05 by Vaughn Flaming - Hoyt Energy Master water heater installed in 1979 lasted until 2022

Our Hoyt Energy Master was the original water heater installed in when our townhouse was built in late 1979. It developed a leak this past week. Fortunately, it was located in a water closet accessible from the balcony on the second floor and there is drain pan. The water was draining into a pipe that exits through the exterior wall at ground level.

Thank goodness for building codes that requires this even back in the 1970s and 1980s. This was our clue that something was leaking. We inspected the washing machine closet and then water heater closet. We discovered that the tank was leaking at the bottom.

About 1/4 inch of water in the drain pan was observed and there was rust on the bottom of the tank.

We have never flushed in the 22 years that we have lived here and we have no water softener. Our water company uses wells for supplying our water and it seems our water is not as hard as water provided by other water service companies in our area that are supplied from reservoirs. I wonder if our Hoyt had a copper tank?

We replaced with Bradford and White as recommended by the plumber we contacted. This replacement tank has a magnesium Anode and and hardened enamel coating, and thicker glass lining than most standard heaters. Hopefully, these features will extend the life of this water heater beyond the usually 10 years lifetime of today's water heaters

. If we get 15 years service by today's standards then we will have gotten our money's worth. We plan to flush it out at least annually and have the anode checked every few years. since the tank warranty is only 6 years.

[Image above of the 1979 Hoyt water heater]

On 2022-05-06 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@BN,

Nice.
What is the age of the house where this heater is installed?

On 2022-05-06 by BN - Hoyt water heater, Oakland CA, ca 1937?

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator, installed in Oakland CA. 1937 construction.
I guess it really is the Highest Quality.

On 2022-04-27 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod) - Age of a Hoytglas Water Heater Model 60B

@BN,

Thanks for the great Hoyt water heater photos and question.

That's certainly not a 2006 water heater.

Above on this page we note that

The 78-year-old company moved to Stead from Oakland, Calif., in 1982.

So if your heater's tag says it was made in Oakland it's reasonable to guess that it was made before 1982.

1929 would be a stunning age but not impossible.

Your guess assigning the Hoyt serial numbers to YYMM is reasonable,

but also consider that most-often a water heater serial number includes not just manufacturing date but also a manufacturing sequence number, such as

Ynnn for 1 digit of year and 3 (at least) of sequence. I mean, surely they made more than 99 water heaters in any year.

When was the house built in which this water heater is found?

Where is the house? (Country, city)

and I'd sure appreciate a sharp closeup that shows the entire data tag.

Thanks.

On 2022-04-27 by BN

Here's the nametag from a Hoyt Hoytglas Model 60B water heater, made in Oakland California, Serial number 2906.

On 2022-04-27 by BN - age of this still working Hoyt Hoytglas Model 60B

What could the age be on this still working Hoyt Hoytglas Model 60B water heater, made in Oakland California? Serial number 2906. Is that the 29th week of 2006? The 6th week of 1929?

On 2022-04-01 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator (mod)

@Margaret Kuberka,

Thank you for your comment.

We agree that at least some new water heaters are not made of the same heavy and durable materials as their ancestors.

On 2022-03-31 by Margaret Kuberka

Just replaced my Mom's water heater made by Hoyt because it started to leak. It had a manufacture date of April 1987. Yep, 35 years has got to be a new record. Bet the new one won't last 10.

On 2021-08-21 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@robert hoyt lombardo,

An obituary for Adrian H. Hoyt, shown below, appeared in Industry Week Vol. 67, p. 1287, as you can find by google search or by using one of the ancestry search websites.

[Click to enlarge any image]

I will be glad to do some more research to see what else I can find. I have a couple of ideas of places to look. You can help me by providing any information that you have including people's names and photographs if you're willing.

On 2021-08-08 by robert hoyt lombardo - My great grand father was Ezra Hoyt who started hoyt water heaters.

My name is robert hoyt lombardo. My great grand father was ezra hoyt how started hoyt water heaters. But I could find nothing mentioning my family. If you have any info about this please email me. I am the last of my family so any info you can provide would be great. roberthlombardo@yahoo.com

On 2021-07-04 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Our Hoyt water heater is 43 yrs old and still working!

@Patricia Chilpigian,

Wonderful! Please post a photo of your water heater, and another (one per comment) of its data tag(s).

Our OPINION is that many older water heaters were made of heavier and so longer-lasting materials than many contemporary heaters.

Of course other factors in water heater life including the chemistry of your water supply, hot water usage, and temperature, and even the environment of the water heater all affect its life.

Also see WATER HEATER LIFE https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Heater_Life.php

On 2021-07-04 by Patricia Chilpigian

I think we have broken the record. Our Hoyt water heater is 43 yrs old and still working!

On 2022-04-27 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Hoyt Hoytglas water heater age query

@BN,

Thanks for the great Hoyt water heater photos and question.

That's certainly not a 2006 water heater.

Above on this page we note that

The 78-year-old company moved to Stead from Oakland, Calif., in 1982.

So if your heater's tag says it was made in Oakland it's reasonable to guess that it was made before 1982.

1929 would be a stunning age but not impossible.


Your guess assigning the Hoyt serial numbers to YYMM is reasonable,

but also consider that most-often a water heater serial number includes not just manufacturing date but also a manufacturing sequence number, such as
Ynnn for 1 digit of year and 3 (at least) of sequence. I mean, surely they made more than 99 water heaters in any year.

When was the house built in which this water heater is found?

Where is the house? (Country, city)

and I'd sure appreciate a sharp closeup that shows the entire data tag.

Thanks.

On 2022-04-27 by BN

Here's the nametag from a Hoyt Hoytglas Model 60B water heater, made in Oakland California, Serial number 2906.

On 2022-04-27 by BN

What could the age be on this still working Hoyt Hoytglas Model 60B water heater, made in Oakland California? Serial number 2906. Is that the 29th week of 2006? The 6th week of 1929?

On 2022-04-01 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Hoyt replaced after 35 years

@Margaret Kuberka, Thank you for your comment.

We agree that at least some new water heaters are not made of the same heavy and durable materials as their ancestors.

On 2022-03-31 by Margaret Kuberka

Just replaced my Mom's water heater made by Hoyt because it started to leak. It had a manufacture date of April 1987. Yep, 35 years has got to be a new record. Bet the new one won't last 10.

On 2021-08-21 by inspectapedia.com.moderator - Adrian Hoyt obituary

@robert hoyt lombardo,

An obituary for Adrian H. Hoyt, shown below, appeared in Industry Week Vol. 67, p. 1287, as you can find by google search or by using one of the ancestry search websites.

On 2021-08-08 by inspectapedia.com.moderator

@robert hoyt lombardo,

I will be glad to do some more research to see what else I can find. I have a couple of ideas of places to look. You can help me by providing any information that you have including people's names and photographs if you're willing.

On 2021-08-08 by robert hoyt lombardo

My name is robert hoyt lombardo. My great grand father was ezra hoyt how started hoyt water heaters. But I could find nothing mentioning my family. If you have any info about this please email me. I am the last of my family so any info you can provide would be great. roberthlombardo@yahoo.com

On 2021-07-04 by inspectapedia.com.moderator - 43 year old Hoyt still working

@Patricia Chilpigian,

Wonderful! Please post a photo of your water heater, and another (one per comment) of its data tag(s).

Our OPINION is that many older water heaters were made of heavier and so longer-lasting materials than many contemporary heaters.

Of course other factors in water heater life including the chemistry of your water supply, hot water usage, and temperature, and even the environment of the water heater all affect its life.

Also see WATER HEATER LIFE https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Heater_Life.php

On 2021-07-04 by Patricia Chilpigian

I think we have broken the record. Our Hoyt water heater is 43 yrs old and still working!

On 2020-07-21 by (mod) - 1992 Hoyt Water Heater Age & Data Tag

TJ,

That Hoyt water heater 5-digit all numeric serial number 34192 typically encoded the year in the last two numeric digits or 92 for 1992.

If you've been in the home for 22 years, that is, since 1998,
and if you can tell me that the heater was in the home when you moved-in,
then
that's a reasonable guess.

On 2020-07-20 by TJ

I have a Hoyt 30 gallon copper water heater. Serial number 34192. Home was built in 1922. Label is Hoyt Heaters of Northern California, Oakland, CA. Has the national safety requirement approval of the American Gas Association compliance star. Has always worked fine. Lived here for 22 years. Never flushed :0, No leaks. What age might it be?

On 2020-04-19 by John

We have Hoyt Hi-Test 50 HI. Serial number C88RN01673194.

Looks like it was made and installed in 1988. It is still going. Was thinking about replacing it with a different gas hot water heater so I can bring in air from outside the closet. But I'm better off with the Hoyt than a new one.

On 2020-01-31 by karen

what is the age of the water heater

On 2019-12-13 - by (mod) -

Yes that's a nice historical detail for Hoyt Water Heaters.

We were not able to find articles specifically describing Hoyt Water Heater company war production during WWII but indeed pretty much all of the American water heater companies devoted their production facilities to war needs during WWII.

On 2019-12-13 by Maggie Audiss

The only thing I can remember is our press department. Dan told me that he tank roller had been commandeered in WWII to roll torpedo tubes.

On 2019-12-01 - by (mod) -

I was an employee of Hoyt Heater Company from 84-88

Maggie

Thank you so much for the comment. Any historical details about the company that you're inclined to add would be a welcome addition for readers to still enjoy some of these old but Rock Solid water heaters

On 2019-12-01 by Maggie

I was an employee of Hoyt Heater Company from 84-88 and worked for 3 subsequent owners after the bankruptcy in 88. I was sitting here wondering what year Dan's (Grandfather?) got the patents and started the company.

I found these articles and Q&A's!

I'm floored that these heaters are still running but I remember once Dan told me that our quality is why plumbers in NoCal swore by them.

I learned a lot from this page and thank everyone who contributed.

A big blast that unfortunately, is in the past. They truly don't make them like that anymore.

On 2019-07-16 by (mod) - When the Hoyt water heater SN is Alphabetic Character + digits like DnnRNnnnnnnn

CK

That looks like 1986, the two digits after the first alphabetic character. You'll see that format at the top of this page.

On 2019-07-16 by CK

What is the age of my Hoyt water heater with serial number:

D86RN01179703

Thanks

On 2019-03-28 by (mod) - when the Hoyt serial number is just 4 digits

Typically when the Hoyt serial number is just 4 digits either the first two or last two are the year of manufacture.

For many Hoyt water heaters, the first two digits of the serial give the year and the second the week of manufacture.

79 - 1979

13 - week 13

On 2019-03-21 by Johnathan

What year is a Hoyt with the serial number 7913 from?

Thanks,
Johnathan

On 2018-10-06 by (mod) -

Harold

Usually the year will be either explicitly given on the data tag OR encoded in the serial number, not the model number (as that often remained un-changed over a number of years).

But looking in the serial number I don't see anything suggesting the 1980s.

It's possible for a water heater to sit at the dealer for some years before being sold and installed.

Further clues to water heater age can be the dates stamped in or associated with standards or other data on the water heater. That can set a floor under the age.

You are welcome to post a photo of the data tag - attached to a comment, and perhaps also of the heater itself. That may help others comment.

On 2018-10-05 by Harold

My Hoyt water heater seems like the original one installed when our Condo was built in 1989, we purchased our unit last year and have no idea how old the water heater is.

No leaks, hot water, no rust, it is installed in a closet inside our Condo. The water Heater is a Hoyt Energy Master Plus A86, the serial #0001104974, Model FFHMEV. Assuming that A86 might be the age, 1986, installed 1989, 29 years old. . Guess no since replacing the unit, we flushed it last year due to a leaking drain valve.

Should we just keep monitoring it and not replace it?

On 2019-11-21 by Brent - Hoyt water heater, model no. 50HD,

I have a Hoyt water heater, model no. 50HD, model name HI TEST H-77, serial # 350311. When we bought our house 2 years ago, I contemplated replacing it because looked so old, but it has been a champ!

I am wondering what it's approximate age is.

Question: Hoyt water heater age decoding Q&A

(Feb 26, 2012) Karen said: I want to know the year of my hot water heater

(Nov 5, 2012) Alexandra said: I am trying to find the age of my Hi Test Hoyt water heater. The serial is A87RNH1373190, model A40HM

(Dec 30, 2012) donna said: trying to find how old water heater is model# 71-40db serial# rh0900b06241

(Feb 5, 2013) wells said: 64 gal model EXR90-52

(Mar 1, 2013) Lee Harding said: I'm trying to determine the age of my GSW hot water heater.Model 6G505DE1
Serial # 50704 535391. I can't tell from these numbers.

(Mar 21, 2013) beckett said: how do i tell the age of my hot water tank

Reply:

Hoyt water heaters are discussed on this page. For other heaters or unidentified models you can often find the year and month encoded in the product serial number, as we describe in the article WATER HEATER AGE & MANUALS.

...

Continue reading  at WATER HEATER AGE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see

Or see these

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• WATER HEATER AGE & MANUALS - home
• WATER HEATER WARRANTIES
• WATER HEATER LEAK REPAIR
• WATER HEATER LIFE
• WATER HEATER RESET BUTTONS & CONTROLS
• WATER HEATER SAFETY

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HI TEST HOYT WATER HEATER AGE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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