Kenmore Water Heater Age
Sears never built its own water heaters. Kenmore tanks came from several manufacturers, each with its own date code. Enter your serial below and the decoder tries each maker's format.
Part of the water heater age lookup
Serial number age lookup
Where to find the serial number
Kenmore water heaters have a rating label on the side of the tank. The model number looks like 153.xxxxxx (a three-digit code, a period, then more digits). The serial is a separate line, and its shape is the best clue to who built the tank.
Also look at the small print. Many labels name the actual manufacturer or give a manufacturer’s address or phone number, for example in Montgomery, Alabama (Rheem) or Johnson City, Tennessee (American Water Heater). That tells you which code applies.
How Kenmore serials are decoded
The decoder tries each maker’s format in turn and keeps the ones that produce a valid date:
| Serial looks like | Probably built by | Date is in |
|---|---|---|
| Letters, then 4 digits (RH0806…) | Rheem | Month + year after the letters |
| 4 digits, a letter, 6 digits (1335A…) | A. O. Smith family | Year + week |
| 10 digits, no letters (1428104380) | American Water Heater | Year + week |
- Year
- Week
- Not part of the date
- Month
- Year
- Not part of the date
- Month
- Year
- Not part of the date
- Month
- Year
- Not part of the date
- Week
- Year
- Not part of the date
- Year
- Week
- Not part of the date
Worked examples
| Serial | Built | Format |
|---|---|---|
| RH0806B12345 | August 2006 | Letter prefix + month (2 digits) + year (2 digits) |
| 1335A012345 | August 2013 (week 35) | Year (2 digits) + week (2 digits) (2008–present) |
| 1428104380 | July 2014 (week 28) | Year (2 digits) + week (2 digits) + 6 digits |
| MH06123456 | June 2012 or August 2006 | Letter prefix + month (2 digits) + year (2 digits) |
Example serials are made up to show the format; they don't belong to real units.
If the decoder can’t read it
Older Kenmore tanks, and some built by makers that later left the market, use codes we don’t decode. In that case:
- Look for a printed manufacture date on the label.
- Check the small print for the manufacturer’s name and use that brand’s decoder.
- As a last resort, the tank’s condition and the house’s records (permits, inspection reports) narrow it down.
The Kenmore “153” model prefix
Every Kenmore product carries a Sears source code at the start of the model number. For water heaters you’ll often see 153. People sometimes treat it as a reliable way to identify the maker, but source codes were reused and supply contracts changed, so it isn’t a dependable guide on its own. The serial format and the manufacturer’s details on the label are better evidence.
How long Kenmore water heaters last
A Kenmore tank lasts as long as the tank it really is: 8 to 12 years for most gas tanks and 10 to 15 for electric ones. Kenmore water heaters were sold for decades, but many still in service are now old enough to be in or past the replacement window.
Parts and warranty
Sears’ service network has shrunk a great deal, so warranty and parts support for Kenmore water heaters is limited. Once you know the actual manufacturer:
- Parts: a plumbing supply house can usually match elements, thermostats, gas valves and anodes from the actual maker’s equivalent model.
- Warranty: if the tank is still within its original term, keep your proof of purchase. Coverage depends on the terms Sears sold it with.
What to do with your result
Under 8 years: repair it with the actual manufacturer’s parts.
8 to 12 years: service it and price a replacement.
Over 12 years: replace it, particularly if it sits indoors over finished flooring.
Frequently asked questions
Who made Kenmore water heaters?
Sears sourced Kenmore water heaters from outside manufacturers over the years, including companies now part of A. O. Smith and Rheem. The maker can change between models and years, which is why one serial code doesn't fit every Kenmore tank.
How do I read a Kenmore water heater serial number?
It depends on the maker. A serial that starts with letters then four digits (such as RH0806…) usually follows Rheem's month-year code. One that starts with four digits then a letter (1335A…) follows A. O. Smith's year-week code. A plain ten-digit number usually follows American Water Heater's year-week code.
What does 153 mean on a Kenmore model number?
Kenmore model numbers start with a three-digit Sears source code followed by a period. Sears used it to identify the supplier, but the codes were reused and changed over time, so the serial format is a more reliable guide.
Why did the tool give two possible dates?
A few serials fit more than one maker's format. The tool shows the most recent date first and lists the other. The label style, the manufacturer's name in the small print and the condition of the tank usually make the right one obvious.
Sources and accuracy
The Kenmore water heaters (built by several makers) 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 2026-11-05. Not affiliated with Kenmore water heaters (built by several makers). 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.