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Bradford White water heater age

How old is my Bradford White water heater?

The first two letters of a Bradford White serial number are its year and month of manufacture. Enter yours to decode it with Bradford White’s published chart.

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Decode your serial number

Your serial number stays in your browser. It isn’t sent to us or stored unless you choose to save it to your home.

Photograph the label instead

Photo reading needs a free account and your permission to use an external AI service. It reads the text only; the date is always worked out from the manufacturer rule.

How the date code works

  1. First letter: year. Bradford White skips I, O, Q, R, U and V, so the letters repeat every 20 years. For example, J means 1992, 2012 or 2032.
  2. Second letter: month. A is January through M for December, with no I.
  3. The digits are a production sequence, not a date. Bradford White used 7 digits before December 2007 and 8 digits after.

That digit count is what lets us choose between 20-year cycles. Bradford White’s own example, JC16433183, has 8 digits, so J means 2012: March 2012. Serials beginning A–D with 7 digits (1984–1987 or 2004–2007) can’t be told apart this way, so we show both dates. Bradford White also notes that some “OA” serials were built in January 1997.

Source: Bradford White — My Water Heater and its Serial Number Date Code Reference chart. Aruvello is not affiliated with Bradford White.

Where to find the serial number

Look for the rating plate on the side of the tank, usually near the gas control or the upper access panel. Bradford White prints the model and serial numbers together. Watch for look-alike characters: Bradford White year letters never include O, I, Q, R, U or V.

Age, installation and warranty

The decoded date is when the heater was made. It may have been installed months later. Warranty length depends on the model and installation, and Bradford White handles claims through your plumbing professional. To check coverage, use the Bradford White Warranty Center. Aruvello doesn’t determine coverage.

Other brands: see which brands we support.

Questions homeowners ask

My serial starts with a number. Is it a Bradford White code?
Not one we can decode. Check that it’s the serial number, not the model number, and look for a printed manufacture date on the plate.
Why do I see two possible dates?
For 7-digit serials starting with A–D, the chart allows both the 1980s and the 2000s. The rating plate or your installation records will settle it.
Is my water heater too old?
The date alone can’t tell you that. Condition, water quality and maintenance matter. Ask a licensed plumber to inspect it.

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