York Serial Number Lookup
York serials since late 2004 split the year around the month letter. In W1G7…, the 1 and the 7 make 2017 and G is July. Older serials use letters for both month and year. Enter yours below to decode it; Coleman and Luxaire work the same way.
Part of the hvac age lookup
Serial number age lookup
Where to find the serial number on York equipment
- Outdoor AC or heat pump: on the rating plate on the side of the cabinet, normally near the electrical service panel.
- Gas furnace: inside the blower compartment door or on the cabinet side. Turn off the power before removing a door.
- Air handler: on the side of the cabinet or behind the access panel.
A York serial is ten characters. Since late 2004 it follows a letter–digit–letter–digit pattern followed by six digits, such as W1G7123456. Older York serials start with three or four letters, such as CETP123456.
How the York date code works
October 2004 to today
- Character 1: plant letter (for example N for Norman, Oklahoma, or W for Wichita, Kansas)
- Characters 2 and 4: the two digits of the year, split around the month letter
- Character 3: month letter
- Characters 5–10: production sequence
So W1G7123456 is read as plant W, year 1 + 7 = 2017, month G = July.
1971 to September 2004
- Character 1: plant letter
- Character 2: month letter (same letters as above)
- Character 3: year letter, which repeats every 21 years
So CETP123456 is plant C, month E (May), year T (1987).
- Year
- Month
- Not part of the date
- Month
- Year
- Not part of the date
Worked examples
| Serial | Built | Format |
|---|---|---|
| W1G7123456 | July 2017 | Plant letter + year digit + month letter + year digit (Oct 2004–present) |
| N0D6123456 | April 2006 | Plant letter + year digit + month letter + year digit (Oct 2004–present) |
| W2C2654321 | March 2022 | Plant letter + year digit + month letter + year digit (Oct 2004–present) |
| N1N9123456 | December 2019 | Plant letter + year digit + month letter + year digit (Oct 2004–present) |
| CETP123456 | May 1987 | Plant letter + month letter + year letter (1971–Sept 2004, letters repeat every 21 years) |
| WDHP123456 | April 1999 or April 1978 | Plant letter + month letter + year letter (1971–Sept 2004, letters repeat every 21 years) |
Example serials are made up to show the format; they don't belong to real units.
York month letters
| Letter | Month | Letter | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | January | G | July |
| B | February | H | August |
| C | March | K | September |
| D | April | L | October |
| E | May | M | November |
| F | June | N | December |
York’s month letters skip both I and J, unlike most brands that only skip I. That’s why M is November and N is December. Decoders that use the standard A–M chart get York months wrong by one for the last four months of the year.
Old York year letters
| Letter | Year | Letter | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1971 or 1992 | M | 1982 or 2003 |
| B | 1972 or 1993 | N | 1983 or 2004 |
| C | 1973 or 1994 | P | 1984 |
| D | 1974 or 1995 | R | 1985 |
| E | 1975 or 1996 | S | 1986 |
| F | 1976 or 1997 | T | 1987 |
| G | 1977 or 1998 | V | 1988 |
| H | 1978 or 1999 | W | 1989 |
| J | 1979 or 2000 | X | 1990 |
| K | 1980 or 2001 | Y | 1991 |
| L | 1981 or 2002 |
York, Coleman and Luxaire
York was founded in York, Pennsylvania, in 1874 and became part of Johnson Controls in 2005, alongside the Coleman and Luxaire brands. In 2024 Johnson Controls agreed to sell its residential HVAC business to Bosch. The three brands share plants and designs, so Coleman and Luxaire serials decode exactly like York. Pick your brand in the menu.
How long does York equipment last?
| Equipment | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | 12–17 years |
| Heat pump | 10–15 years |
| Gas furnace | 15–20 years |
York’s Affinity series is the premium variable-capacity line; the LX series covers mid-range and standard models. As with other brands, sizing, refrigerant charge, airflow and filter changes decide most of the real-world lifespan.
Signs a York system is wearing out
- Rising utility bills and longer run times
- Recurring refrigerant leaks or ice on the outdoor lines
- Noisy or failing outdoor fan motors on older units
- On furnaces: repeated ignition lockouts, rust in the burner area, or a cracked heat exchanger (replace-now, because of the carbon monoxide risk)
What to do with your result
Under 10 years: York and Coleman registered warranties typically include 10 years of parts coverage; check registration before paying for parts.
10 to 15 years: budget for replacement and compare major repair quotes against a new system.
Over 15 years: plan the replacement. If an older York AC uses R-22, refrigerant work can be expensive, which usually makes replacing the better value.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a York serial number?
For units built since October 2004, ignore the first letter (the plant). The 2nd and 4th characters together are the year and the 3rd is a month letter. W1G7123456 is July 2017. Older serials start with a plant letter, then a month letter, then a year letter.
What do the York month letters mean?
A is January through H for August. York skips I and J, so K is September, L October, M November and N December.
Do Coleman and Luxaire use the York serial format?
Yes. Coleman and Luxaire residential equipment comes from the same company and plants as York, and the serial codes match.
Why does the tool give two possible years for my old York unit?
The pre-2004 year letters repeat every 21 years, so a letter like H can mean 1978 or 1999. A unit still running is far more likely to be from the later year, but the label style and the refrigerant type can help confirm it.
How long do York air conditioners last?
About 12 to 17 years for a central AC, 10 to 15 for a heat pump and 15 to 20 for a gas furnace, with installation and maintenance making most of the difference.
Sources and accuracy
The York / Coleman / Luxaire decoder is built from these references and cross-checked between them. Facts are restated in our own words; any mistakes are ours.
Status: being verified against real data plates. Rules last reviewed 2026-10-18; page updated 2026-10-24. Not affiliated with York / Coleman / Luxaire. Report a wrong result.
Part of the hvac age lookup
This page covers one brand. For all furnace, air conditioner and heat pump brands, go to the hvac age lookup.