Reading Your Water Heater Label: Age, Size and Fuel
Every water heater has a label on the side with almost everything a plumber needs to know. Reading it takes two minutes.
Request a plumberFind the label
Look on the side of the tank, usually near the top or beside the gas control or electrical panel. In a tight closet you may need a flashlight.
Work out the age
Most makers hide the manufacture date in the serial number. Often the first four digits are the year and month, or a letter stands for the month. If you can't decode it, give the plumber the full serial number.
Size in gallons
Tanks are rated in gallons, commonly 40 or 50 for a family home. If you run out of hot water often, the tank may be too small, or sediment may be taking up space at the bottom.
Gas or electric
The label says whether the heater runs on natural gas, propane or electricity. Gas heaters have a burner and vent pipe; electric ones have panels covering the heating elements.
Why it matters
A tank nearing the end of its expected life is worth planning to replace before it leaks into a finished basement. Knowing size and fuel helps the plumber bring the right replacement.
Next step
Send a photo of the label with your request. See water heater repair and replacement.
Other useful details
The label also lists the model number, the first-hour rating and, on gas units, the input in BTUs. The first-hour rating tells you how much hot water the heater can supply in a busy hour, which matters more than tank size if your mornings involve several showers in a row. Take a clear photo of the whole label so nothing has to be copied by hand.
The relief valve
The temperature and pressure relief valve sits on the top or side of the tank with a pipe running down toward the floor. If it drips, has rust around it or the pipe is missing, mention it in your request, because it's the heater's main safety device.
More plumbing guides
Request a plumber
Repairs, renovations and new projects. Tell us what you need and we'll pass it straight to a plumber, who will call you to go over the job and give you a quote.
- Plumbing repairs, renovations and new projects
- Topeka and the towns around it
- Get a quote before any work starts
Plumbing trouble in Topeka?
Send a request and a plumber will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
Prefer email? [email protected]