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Rheem electric water heater Christ Church New Zealand (C) Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com Rheem Water Heater Age, Manuals, Customer Service Contacts
Rheem Water Heater, Geyser, Cylinder, Calorifier Contacts & Water Heater Manuals

Determine the age of a Rheem water heater based on decoding the serial number.

We give contact information for Rheem brand water heaters, geysers, cylinders, calorifiers and for Rheem water heater installation, operation, & troubleshooting manuals.

The water heater age guide on this page works for these brands: AquaTherm, General Electric, GE, Hotpoint, Professional, Rheem, Vanguard, & Western Auto water heaters.

Page top photo: a Rheem brand electric water heater installed in a Christchurch New Zealand home.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Rheem water heater age determination, serial number decoding, manuals

Rheem RTREX-13 Tankless Water Heater (C) InspectApedia.com customer service not provided by Rheem nor by EemaxRheem Water Heater Contact Service, Repair, Warranty & Parts Contacts

Photo above: Rheem RETEX-13 electric tankless water heater purchased from Home Depot and installed by the author.

Leaks at a fitting led to a surprising discovery about this heater described separately

at RHEEM TANKLESS WATER HEATER LEAK REPAIR

[Click to enlarge any image]

On Rheem tankless water heaters like the one shown below, the unit serial number is found beneath a QR code on a sticker on the right side of the exterior of the unit.

Modern Rheem Serial Number Decoder to Determine Heater Age

Rheem tank-type water heaters use a 10 digit code:

Rheem water heater label data (C) Daniel Friedman Boca Raton FLMMYYX12345 where X is the plant code and 12345 a consecutive unique ID and of course MM YY are month and year.

Photo: Rheemglas Fury model Rheem water heater data tag on a home in Boca Raton Florida. Serial No. RH 0806B17262 decodes to August 2006.

Really? Sometimes it's easier to read the manufacture-date right off of the Rheem water heater data tag where you may see a field titled: MFG. DATE: MM/YYYY

On the Rheemglas Fury water heater data tag shown here we see MFG. DATE: 08/2006

We discuss Rheem-manufactured water heater date codes in more detail below.

The Rheem water heater serial number is found on the data tag or label on your water heater's exterior.

[Click to enlarge any image]

A different example is shown in our photo at the top of this page: Some Rheem water heaters such as this electric water heater made by Rheem New Zealand and installed in a Christchurch home will give the date of manufacture explicitly.

This New Zealand Rheem water heater was manufactured 14/05/2007 and sports a serial number of 0723.

On Rheem tankless water heaters the serial number is located inside of the heater body on the right side.

On Rheem heat pump water heaters the serial number is located on a label on the upper left side of the unit.

Rheem produced water heaters sold under many other brands including

Rheem-made Hotpoint Water Heater Data Tag gives water heater age (C) InspectApeida.com Randy Coulter

[Click to enlarge any image]

Rheem serial numbers on modern heating equipment can be decoded by mapping the corresponding digits of the unit's serial number as follows:

MMYYPnnnn

where

MM = month of manufacture

YY = year of manufacture

P = plant identifying code

nnnn = a consecutive serial number for your individual unit

Rheem water heaters that may be sold under other brand names include

AquaTherm water heaters, General Electric water heaters, Hotpoint water heaters, Professional Brand water heaters, Vanguard water heaters & Western Auto water heaters.

- http://globalimageserver.com/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=682d9e43-35ec-48e9-b3f7-1a41d328375d retrieved 6/24/2014

Contact information & Manuals for Rheem Water Heaters

Rheem New Zealand water heater data label information (C) Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Rheem Water Heater Manuals

Also see

 

Nine Rheem Water Heater Serial Number Decoding formats

Rheem water heater label data (C) Daniel Friedman Boca Raton FLThank you for the added information, Nick.

I will continue researching to see if we can find a key to older Rheem water heaters that pre-date the modern date encoding schema.

Because Rheem water heaters or calorifiers or geysers were sold under quite a few brands and over many years, there is a plethora of Rheem water heater serial number formats.

Rheem provides their own Rheem water heater age decoder at https://www.rheem.com/how-old-is-my-water-heater however we found that this web page does not work on older Rheem water heater serial numbers.

To date we have found at least nine Rheem water heater age encoding schemes depending on the era of manufacture and also on the type of water heater. We summarize these below.

Photo: an older Rheemglas Standard water heater, Serial No. # R 0884B10488 decodes to August 1988.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Rheem current 10-digit serial number code: MMYYP12345 where

P is the plant code and 12345 a consecutive unique ID and of course MM YY are month and year of production.

This serial number may be prefixed by R, RN, RNG, RHNG or other letter combinations.

Rheem 8-digit serial number: 1234WWYY ?

Uncertain, possibly WWYY are week number and two-digit year number for older Rheem water heaters like the Rheemglas glass lined water heater

Rheem 9 digit serial number code with alphabetic prefix: ABCDMMYY2345

MM and YY are the month and year of production.

ABCD in this serial number format may be 1 to 4 alphabetic characters in length: R, RN, RNG, RHNG, RHUNM or other letters. The MMYY are the first numeric characters in the code.

Example: RN 1292A29282 - 12 92 or December 1992

Alternative Rheem 9 digit serial number code using week number, with initial character: ZWWYY12345

WW is the consecutive week number (1-52) and YY is the two digit year code

 

Rheem water heaer with 10 digit all numeric serial number - age decoded (C) InspectApedia.com Hogue

Rheem 10 digit serial number code without plant code: MMYY123456

MM YY are month and year of production.

This serial number may be prefixed by R, RN, RNG, RHNG or other letter combinations.

Alternative Rheem 10-character serial number code without plant code: MM.YY-123456
MM.YY are month and year of production.

This serial number format is used on some Rheem tankless water heaters.

Shown above: a Rheem water heater sporting a ten-digit all-numeric serial number.

In this example the heater's serial numb er is 09815101633, telling us that it was made in September 1981.

 

Rheem 11-character serial number code with plant code: MMYYP123456

MM YY are month and year of manufacture, P is a plant code.

This serial number is used on certain Rheem tankless water heaters.

Rheem 12-character serial number code: B950-3138 RCY-5

This serial number was provided by reader Nick 2018-08-27 and has not been precisely de-coded.

Nick adds that the heater was made on or before 1978 and he speculates that the B950 could refer to B-Baltimore and 950 to 9 - September and 50 - 1950.

However Rheem does not have and appears not to have had a manufacturing facility in Baltimore, Maryland.

Rheem 16-character serial number code with plant code: ZMMYYP12345689X
MM YY are the month and year and P is a plant code.

 

Decoding Older Rheem Water Heater Data Tags

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-02-07 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Mike, please check the Rheem water heater serial number decoder guide at the very top of this page. You 'll see a couple of patterns - probably the first one will be a match.

On 2023-02-07 by Mike

What is the age of my Rheemglas Standard water heater Model 81MV52DT Serial RH 0202B05425

On 2022-10-07 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Juan,

Sure, easily done. Just check the Rheem water heater serial number decoder guide at the very top of this page.

On 2022-10-06 by Juan

Need to find out the age of a RHEEM water heater. Model number 666H-400 and serial number 1077M18100

On 2021-11-14 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Whilden,

In the article above on this page, you'll see a format for decoding Rheem 10 digit water heater serial numbers that gives MM YY for month and year.

Please do take a look.

On 2021-11-14 by Whilden

Hi - Might you know the manufacture year of the following Rheem WATER HEATER: R 1196B38890? Thank you

On 2021-10-31 by inspectapedia.com.moderator

@Laura,

Is it possible that we're discussing an ordinary electrical connector that should be available at any electrical supplier or hardware store?

On 2021-10-31 by Laura

Thank you for all of this info, using the decoder, I still could not figure out the age of my furnace, but maybe it does not matter as long as I can find a right replacement part.

Here is the 16 digit serial number on my Rheem High Efficiency furnace:
AG5D 307 F2990 4873

I am looking for a 3 prong plug replacement for this model RGDE-10NRA.JR and a diagram of the electrical box on the side of this furnace where the electrical cord attaches to.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you

On 2021-04-30 by Steve

@danjoefriedman,

Thank you, danjoe.

On 2021-04-30 by danjoefriedman (mod) - decoding Rheem water heater serial numbers

@Steve,

At the top of this page you'll see a format for decoding Rheem water heater serial numbers that gives MM YY for month and year;

When we're not sure if the decoder is giving a reasonable age guess for a water heater we look for corroborating water heater age or clues such as

- age of the building where the water heater is installed

- any notes on a service or data tag on the water heater on on the heater itself (often an installer will write dates of installation or repair right on the heater)

- any notes on the water heater's owner's manual that is often with the heater in a pocket taped to the heater side or stuck up in a floor joist or atop a wall nearby; often the manual itself will include a publication date that gives a floor under the water heater's possible year of manufacture

So try out the page top format against the first four numeric digits of your water heater XXMMYY or possibly WWYY for week and year - and tell me answers to the

"water heater age corroboration clues and questions"

On 2021-04-30 by Steve

Best guess on decoding Rheem water heater serial RH Q501231365?

Thanks

On 2021-04-12 by danjoefriedman (mod)

@M. Hesson, you'll find a serial number decoder for Rheem water heaters right at the top of this page; please take a look.

On 2021-04-12 by M. Hesson

Any guess on how old this Rheem water heater is? SN RHLN0309421094, 40 gallon.

On 2021-03-15 by Clarence Schools

What is the interpretation of this Rheem tankless water heater serial number? W501922828

On 2020-06-06 - by (mod) -

Sid

If that's a Rheem serial number, it doesn't exactly match the 9 Rheem water heater age decoder formats given above, but a reasonable guess is

CNYYMM or less likely CNMMYY so that's Dec 2007 - (my second example)

You can do a sanity-check on a water heater decoded age by sharing (with us) some basic data such as

The country and city where the water heater is installed

The age of the building

and for more detailed guidance please check out

DATA TAG DECODING ADVICE for NON-STANDARD DATE CODES - general procedure

On 2020-06-04 by sidhamstra@gmail.com

Need to know age of my water tank, and expiry date. CN1207207623

On 2020-06-02 - by (mod) -

Compare the serial number with the article above. Your Serial No. for your Rheem water heater is S 760 2280 RDON 1YR

Rheem water heater data tag & instructions (C) InspectApedia.com Lindy

On 2020-06-02 by Lindy

Age? [Click to enlarge any image]

Rheem water heater data tag & instructions (C) InspectApedia.com Lindy

On 2020-06-02 by Linda

Can’t find the age

On 2020-04-28 - by (mod) - Frigidaire Water Heaters by General Motors, see Rheem

Frigidaire General Motors Electric Water Heater from 1961, Plant City FL (C) InspectApedia.com reader

Nice photos of your antique Frigidaire water heater logo, stamps on the actual heater tank, and proof that the GM or Frigidaire water heater was actually manufactured by Rheem; thanks.

Sometimes we can find patent nos. that set a floor under the possible age.

On 2020-04-27 by Anonymous

Mod - approximately 1961 Plant City, FL

only other picture is of a cover plate. Any serial number tag may be hidden on the backside of unit under cabinet. Thanks for the interest.

On 2020-04-26 - by (mod) - Age of Frigidaire Part No. 3429120 water heater made by Rheem

Rheem Water Heater Frigidaire Part No. 3429120 (C) InspectApedia.com CharlieWell that's a great photo, Charlie. If you can also post a photo of the whole heater that'd be great.

This is quite obviously a Frigidaire branded water heater with Frigidaire Part No. 3429120, made by Rheem, as Rheem produced heaters sold under many brands.

I've searched under both brands and part numbers without a hit.

Tell me if you can

The country and city where this heater is installed

The age of the building where it is or was found

Also see WATER HEATER AGE GUESSER

On 2020-04-26 by Charlie

trying to find the age of this water heater. can’t see a plate/tag but info is painted on the side of the galvanized tank. see image.

On 2019-11-04 - by (mod) - Rheem WATER HEATER model PGW-120B

Thanks for the puzzle, Adam.

Indeed Rheem WATER HEATER model PGW-120B sporting serial number SN. A68CN3X doesn't quite fit the known serial number decoding patterns for Rheem.

There are other ways to make a reasonable guess at the age of an older water heater (that you referred to as a boiler)

How old is the building where the heater is installed ? - this is close to the oldest the water heater (calorifier, geyser, hot water cylinder are synonyms) might be, more or less

Is this the original water heater or a replacement ? making it newer than the building.

Are there any manuals around? Those will have publication dates and often as well a hand-written installation date.

Are there service or data tags or notes on or close to the boiler itself? Those can set a likely installation or first-service date.

Post a photo of your boiler and using a second comment post a photo of its data tag and I'll research further.

More help at figuring out the age of a water heater when the serial number or data tag is missing, incomplete, or confusing is at

WATER HEATER AGE GUESSER

On 2019-11-04 by Adam Rheem boiler mod PGW-120B.

How old is this Rheem boiler mod PGW-120B. SN. A68CN3X contacted Rheem and ray pack no one knows

On 2019-10-19 - by (mod) -

Austin

I really wish I could be more helpful but I don't have enough information to make a useful guess about the exact cause of the leak at your water heater is gas burner.

We don't know where there's been a leak and corrosion damage problem, a mechanical problem, or whether the leak is in the gas piping, gas piping connections, or in the gas control at the burner.

It would have been helpful to have a more accurate description from the person who found the problem or from your service technician.

On 2019-10-18 by Austin

I have a Rheem water heater. My propane delivery driver detected a leak around the burner. He capped it off and told me I have to get it fixed or get a new water tank. What are the possible cause of the leak? And how to fix?

On 2019-06-26 - by (mod) -

I agree that that is not a number that I have seen in exactly. Format. Perhaps you can attach a photo of the data tag on your water heater.

On 2019-06-25 by Matt Funk Inspections

Cannot accurately determine the age of this label
Model RP 30S-2 Ser # RUO M1173 24657

On 2019-02-18 - by (mod) -

Jane

Indeed you give one of the two key data for finding the age of a water heater - for most cases: it's serial number

The other key datum needed is the brand - since serial number decoding is generally brand dependent.

If we had a mystery guest water heater who refused to give her name but would give her serial number I would venture a wild guess and say she was born (made) in February 1996.

On 2019-02-18 by Jane Blackburn

would like to know age of water heater serial # 0296B03922 and model # 81VH40D

On 2018-12-05 by I like to find out the age of this tank i have some thoughts

I would like to find the age of a model 81v40d eke water heater . The serial no. Is r 0791124875

Rheem water heater data tag 1960s (C) InspectApedia.com NickOn 2018-05-23 by (mod) - Age of a Rheem Model #62-52-D; Serial #B950-3138 RCY-5.

Nick

Typically on a Rheem water heater the age is encoded in a 10-digit serial number as MMYYa12345

Your heater's serial No. is B95-3138 RCY-5 which of course doesn't fit the schema of newer Rheem units.

On 2018-03-02 by Nick

Thanks again. The only reason I speculated about Baltimore is because it was listed on the nameplate along with 5 other cities (Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, San Francisco, Chicago, & Houston).

On 2018-03-02 by (mod) -

Nick,

Thanks, these are great photos. I'm traveling for the next few days but when I'm back in a computer I'll be sure to copy them over to our new page dedicated to Rheem water heaters and found above on this page.

We'll continue researching this heater and will see if anyone at Rheem can help.

On 2018-03-02 by Nick

I researched Rheem's history and it looks the they stopped using the logo pictured on the front of the unit sometime prior to 1960.

Thanks for your reply. Here is the nameplate. I'll get some pictures of the unit itself tonight.

Rheem logo on a 1960s Rheem water heater (C) InspectApedia.com Nick

On 2018-02-28 by (mod) -

Nick

Please use the picture frame icon next to the Comment button to show us some sharp photos of the water heater and a close-up of its data tag or labeling.

Thank you for the added information, Nick. I will continue researching to see if we can find a key to older Rheem water heaters that pre-date the modern date encoding schema.

1960s Rheem water heater (C) InspectApedia.com Nick ... 1960s Rheem water heater (C) InspectApedia.com Nick

On 2018-02-28 by Nick

I saw it, but the formats didn't match. The # on the unit is B950. Baltimore - September 1950, possibly. I know the unit is at least 40 years old.

On 2018-02-28 by (mod) -

1960s Rheem water heater (C) InspectApedia.com Nick

Above: the control thermostat on Nick's 1960's Rheem electric water heater.

Did you see Rheem water heater age decoding at

RHEEM WATER HEATER AGE & MANUALS

On 2016-07-16 by (mod) age of Hotpoint electric water heaters

Judy for Hotpoint electric water heaters, the age is encoded in the heater's serial number, not the model nor catalogue number.

Take a look at the data tag on your heater.

If it is in the form RN0603123456 then the age is encoded in positions 3-4-5-6 starting from the left - so my example would be M M Y Y or 06 03 or the 6th month of 2003.

Some GE and Rheem heaters also use this encoding pattern.

As your heater is an old one it may use a different scheme. Use the page bottom or top CONTACT link to send me sharp photos of the data tag and of the whole heater and I can look at it further.

On 2016-07-16 by Judy

We have a Hotpoint Electric Water Heater Cataloque number 100WBSC521035. It was here when we bought the house 25 years ago. It says 50 gallons on it but it is the size and shape of the washer and dryer which sit on either side of it. I am worried that it will cease to work sometime and I don't have a clue where to look for a similar new one.

On 2014-09-13 by Anonymous

looking for the age of a rheem model #61v520 serial #R0388105478

On 2018-05-23 by (mod) - 1960's Rheem water heater data tag decoding

Nick: regarding your estimated 1960's Rheem water heater data tag decoding to get the water heater age:

Thanks for the great photos. I'll have copied them over to our page dedicated to Rheem water heaters found above on this page.

Reader question: what is the life expectancy of a Rheem hot water cylinder

(Oct 26, 2012) meme said:

How many years should a Rheem hot water cylinder last

Reply:

Meme, Rheem's warranty period for hot water heating equipment (cylinders, geysers) varies by product series but is typically 5-10 years.

You will need your product name and model number as well as serial number to look up the exact information for your unit. For example, the HPWH has a 10-year tank leak warranty and a 10-year parts warranty and a first year in-home labor warranty is included as well.

Some Rheem heating equipment such as gas furnaces includes longer periods for the heat exchanger, such as 20 years or "lifetime".

You should be sure to register your hot water cylinder at the company's website as that will aid in any future warranty claim. You can call Rheem directly for help. In North America call 1-800-621-5622 and listen for the prompt to take you to warranty information provided by the company

Reader question: decode the age on this 1950's Rheem water heater Serial #B950-3138 RCY-5

2018-02-27 Nick said:

Trying to determine the age of a water heater in my house. Rheem Model #62-52-D; Serial #B950-3138 RCY-5.

The serial number format does not match the Rheem age encoding scheme above on this page.

The # on the unit is B950. Baltimore - September 1950, possibly. I know the unit is at least 40 years old.


...

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