How old is my A.O. SMITH water heater?

1. Find the rating label: On the rating plate, a label on the outer jacket of the tank; the brand asks owners to find this plate and scan its QR code to see the model and serial number.
2. Take a photo of the whole label, or note the model and serial numbers.
3. Check it on Appliance Age. It is free, and no account is needed.

On the rating plate, a label on the outer jacket of the tank; the brand asks owners to find this plate and scan its QR code to see the model and serial number.

Keep the model, serial and any separate production code or printed date together. Not every serial number contains a publicly decodable date.

A.O. Smith water heater age: year and production week

The numeric year/week water-heater serial format illustrated by A.O. Smith · Sources checked October 12, 2026

A.O. Smith’s July 2024 service guide illustrates a numeric serial in which the first two digits identify the manufacture year and the next two identify the production week. A production week is not a month: 19 means week 19, not month 19.

Read the appliance rating plate and keep the complete model and serial together. This example explains the documented numeric arrangement; it does not establish a rule for every older, lettered or other product-family serial.

Record manufacture and installation dates separately. If the label does not match the documented arrangement, preserve the original characters and ask A.O. Smith to confirm the date rather than rearranging digits to produce an answer.

The model identifies the product family, not the manufacture date of your individual heater. An age result also does not establish warranty coverage or predict remaining service life; check the unit’s warranty information separately.

• A.O. Smith July 2024 service and warranty guide: serial example, page 9
• A.O. Smith official warranty verification

Use the format that belongs to this product family. A printed production date, a supported serial code or manufacturer confirmation can establish the age. Repeating year codes may leave more than one possible year; a model-series introduction date helps narrow the range but does not date your individual unit.

Water Heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. Use, water quality and maintenance matter more than the brand. Drain a few litres from the bottom yearly and check the anode rod every few years to slow corrosion.

144 A.O. SMITH models are currently ENERGY STAR certified, 104 of them sold in Canada. The certified models went on the market between 2012 and 2026. An older A.O. SMITH water heater may use more energy than today's certified models.

Source: ENERGY STAR open data, 2026-10-08.

Parts that wear out most often on water heaters:

• Anode rod
• Heating element
• Thermostat
• Temperature and pressure relief valve
• Thermocouple or flame sensor
• Drain valve

Have the model number from the rating label ready so the parts fit.

Every A.O. SMITH check is compared with Health Canada, U.S. CPSC and U.S. NHTSA recall notices.

Questions

How do I find out how old my A.O. SMITH water heater is?

Find the rating label (On the rating plate, a label on the outer jacket of the tank; the brand asks owners to find this plate and scan its QR code to see the model and serial number), then enter the serial number or a photo of the label on Appliance Age. It checks supported serial date codes or a printed date for you, free; some formats need more information.

Where is the serial number on a A.O. SMITH water heater?

On the rating plate, a label on the outer jacket of the tank; the brand asks owners to find this plate and scan its QR code to see the model and serial number.

Can I tell how old my A.O. SMITH water heater is by the model number?

The model number tells you which model it is, not when your unit was made. Look for a manufacture date or a supported date code in the serial number, printed next to the model number on the same label.

Can I decode a A.O. SMITH serial number myself?

Some A.O. SMITH product families have serial date codes, while others need a printed date or manufacturer confirmation. Repeated year codes can produce multiple candidate years; the model and original documents help resolve them.

How long does a A.O. SMITH water heater last?

Water Heaters typically last 8 to 12 years with normal use and maintenance.

Where can I get A.O. SMITH water heater parts?

From A.O. SMITH's official parts store, or an appliance parts retailer. Have the model number from the rating label ready.

Other A.O. SMITH appliances

• A.O. SMITH tankless water heater
• A.O. SMITH boiler