GE Water Heater Age
Most GE gas and electric tanks were built by Rheem, so their serials use Rheem's code. Skip the letters at the start, then read the month and year. Enter the serial below.
Part of the water heater age lookup
Serial number age lookup
Where to find the serial number
GE tanks have a rating label on the side of the jacket, above the gas valve on gas models and between the element covers on electric ones. You’ll see the model (often beginning with GG for gas or GE for electric, then the capacity) and the serial. Rheem-built GE labels also often print MFG. DATE near the bottom, which is the simplest answer.
How the GE date code works
On Rheem-built GE tanks:
- Skip the leading letters:
GE,RH,RNand similar identify the line or plant. - Next four digits: month and year.
GE0720B12345is July 2020. - Some serials use the week instead of the month:
GM2216123456is week 22 of 2016, which is around the start of June.
- Month
- Year
- Not part of the date
- Month
- Year
- Not part of the date
- Week
- Year
- Not part of the date
Worked examples
| Serial | Built | Format |
|---|---|---|
| GE0720B12345 | July 2020 | Letter prefix + month (2 digits) + year (2 digits) |
| RN1014A12345 | October 2014 | Letter prefix + month (2 digits) + year (2 digits) |
| GM2216123456 | June 2016 (week 22) | Letter prefix + week (2 digits) + year (2 digits) |
| RH0311B54321 | March 2011 | Letter prefix + month (2 digits) + year (2 digits) |
Example serials are made up to show the format; they don't belong to real units.
Two kinds of GE water heater
GE storage tanks (gas and electric): sold mostly through home centers and built by Rheem under license. Rheem’s coding applies, and so do Rheem’s parts. A plumbing supplier can usually match a gas valve or element from the model number.
GE GeoSpring heat pump water heaters: GE Appliances’ own hybrid tanks, sold through the 2010s. They’re dated with GE’s appliance serial format (two letters for the month and year), not Rheem’s, so the tool above won’t read them. Look for a printed manufacture date on the label, or note that GeoSpring units still in service are now at least several years old.
How long GE water heaters last
| Type | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Gas tank (Rheem-built) | 8–12 years |
| Electric tank (Rheem-built) | 10–15 years |
| Heat pump (GeoSpring) | Tank similar to electric; compressor and controls can fail sooner |
Common GE tank problems
- No hot water (electric): often a tripped high-limit reset button on the upper thermostat. Find out why it tripped before resetting it repeatedly.
- Pilot won’t stay lit (gas): thermocouple or, on newer tanks, the flammable-vapor sensor.
- Discolored water: a corroded anode or tank interior.
What to do with your result
Under 6 years: check the warranty. Many GE tanks were sold with 6 to 12-year tank warranties, and the retailer or manufacturer handles claims.
6 to 10 years: service and budget.
Over 10 years: plan a replacement. If you’re switching brands, a Rheem tank of the same size and venting is usually the easiest like-for-like swap.
Frequently asked questions
Who made GE water heaters?
GE-branded gas and electric storage tanks sold through big-box retail were generally built by Rheem. GE's GeoSpring heat pump water heater was a different product line built by GE Appliances itself.
How do I read a GE water heater serial number?
For Rheem-built GE tanks, skip any leading letters such as GE, RH or RN, then read two digits for the month and two for the year. GE0720B12345 was built in July 2020.
Does this work for a GE GeoSpring heat pump water heater?
Not reliably. GeoSpring units were built by GE Appliances and use GE's appliance serial format, which we'll cover with the other GE appliances. Check the label for a printed manufacture date first.
How long do GE water heaters last?
About 8 to 12 years for a standard tank, which is the same as other Rheem-built tanks.
Sources and accuracy
The GE water heaters (Rheem-built tanks) 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 2026-11-04. Not affiliated with GE water heaters (Rheem-built tanks). Report a wrong result.
Part of the water heater age lookup
This page covers one brand. For all water heater brands, go to the water heater age lookup.