Water Heaters & Boilers
How Old Is My Bradford White?
Type the serial number from the rating label on your Bradford White water heater to see when it was made and how much of its typical 10-year life is left.
Try an example:
Where to find the serial number on a Bradford White
On a tank water heater, the rating label is on the side of the tank, usually near the gas valve or the upper electrical cover. Look for "SERIAL NO." or "S/N".
Tip: in a dark basement or closet, take a photo of the label with your phone's flash on and zoom in on the photo.
How to read a Bradford White serial number
Year letter + month letter (20-year cycle)
Used 1984–today
Letter 1 is the year and letter 2 is the month (A = January ... M = December, no I). Year letters skip I, O, Q, R, U and V and repeat every 20 years: A = 1984, 2004 or 2024; F = 1989 or 2009; Z = 2003 or 2023.
Example: FC12345678 → March 2009
Common replacement parts for Bradford White
Always match the part to the model number on your rating label, and have gas or refrigerant work done by a licensed technician.
- Bradford White 224-32999-02 Magnesium Anode Rod (Hydrojet Compatible)Check price on Amazon
- Bradford White 265-42545-00 Flammable Vapor SensorCheck price on Amazon
Cheap ways to avoid water damage
Water leak alarm
Sits on the floor next to the tank and sounds a siren at the first drop of water.
See leak alarms on AmazonWater heater drain pan
Catches small leaks and can be piped to a drain, which buys you time before a tank fails.
See drain pans on Amazon
Common questions about Bradford White equipment
Why does Bradford White use letters instead of digits for date codes?
Bradford White uses a proprietary 20-year cyclical alphabet key for production tracking. The 1st letter maps to the year and the 2nd letter maps to the month, avoiding year confusion across 2-decade intervals.
Can homeowners buy Bradford White equipment directly from big box stores?
No. Bradford White exclusively sells equipment through licensed plumbing and HVAC wholesale contractors, which is why replacement parts must be verified by serial number.
How long does a Bradford White water heater last?
About 10 years on average. Units that get yearly maintenance often last longer; units in hard-water areas, coastal air or unconditioned spaces often fail sooner.
Is the serial number the same as the model number?
No. The model number describes the product line, size and options. The serial number identifies your exact unit and contains the manufacture date. Both are printed on the same rating label.
How accurate is this age estimate?
The date comes from the published serial number formats for each brand. It is the factory date, not the installation date, and some formats repeat every 10 or 20 years. If the label shows a printed MFG. DATE, that date wins.