Whirlpool Water Heater Age
Whirlpool didn't build its own water heaters. They came from American Water Heater, so the serial number follows American's year-and-week code. Enter it below to see the build date and age.
Part of the water heater age lookup
Serial number age lookup
Where to find the serial number on a Whirlpool water heater
Whirlpool water heaters have a rating label on the side of the tank, usually above the gas control on gas models or near the upper element cover on electric models. The label is a white sticker with Whirlpool branding, the model number (often starting with letters that show fuel and capacity) and a Serial No. line.
The serial is normally ten digits with no letters, for example 1428104380. If your label has a long code mixing letters and numbers, check you’re not looking at the model number.
Some American Water Heater labels also carry a separate line with the manufacture date or a short date code for warranty purposes. If yours does, use it: it’s the most reliable date on the tank.
How the Whirlpool date code works
Since the tanks came from American Water Heater, they use American’s code:
- Digits 1–2: year.
14means 2014. - Digits 3–4: week of the year.
28means the 28th week, which is July. - Digits 5–10: production sequence. Not part of the date.
- Year
- Week
- Not part of the date
Worked examples
| Serial | Built |
|---|---|
| 1428104380 | July 2014 (week 28) |
| 0901123456 | January 2009 (week 1) |
| 1150654321 | December 2011 (week 50) |
| 0636112233 | September 2006 (week 36) |
Example serials are made up to show the format; they don't belong to real units.
Same code, different badges
American Water Heater built tanks for many store and private-label brands over the years. The same year-and-week code applies to Whirlpool tanks, American Water Heater’s own brand, and tanks sold under other names that came from its Johnson City plant. If your tank’s label mentions American Water Heater Company anywhere, the same decoding applies, and you can choose American Water Heater in the brand menu.
Whirlpool water heater lifespan
Whirlpool water heaters were mostly mid-range gas and electric tanks. Expect about 8 to 12 years from them, the same as other tanks of that type.
If yours decodes to more than about 10 years old, treat it as living on borrowed time.
Warning signs on an older tank
- Rusty or discolored hot water
- Moisture, rust streaks or a damp drain pan under the tank
- Loud popping or rumbling from sediment
- The relief valve discharging, or corrosion on the cold-water inlet fitting on top
- Hot water running out much sooner than it used to
What to do with your result
Under 8 years: maintain it. Replacement parts are still available through American Water Heater and A. O. Smith distributors, since the components are shared.
8 to 12 years: get a quote for a replacement now so you’re not shopping during an outage. Check your warranty paperwork: 12-year models may still have tank coverage.
Over 12 years: replace it before it leaks, particularly if the heater sits in a finished basement, attic or closet where a tank failure would cause water damage.
Checking a Whirlpool fridge, washer or dishwasher instead? Those use Whirlpool’s own appliance serial code, which we’ll cover on a separate Whirlpool appliance page.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Whirlpool water heaters?
Whirlpool-branded water heaters were made under license by American Water Heater Company of Johnson City, Tennessee, which is now part of A. O. Smith. That's why the serial follows American's format, not Whirlpool's appliance format.
How do I read a Whirlpool water heater serial number?
Take the first four digits. The first two are the year and the next two are the week. 1428104380 was built in week 28 of 2014, which is July.
Can I use the Whirlpool appliance serial lookup for my water heater?
No. Whirlpool refrigerators, washers and dryers use a completely different letter-based code. Water heaters must be decoded with American Water Heater's rules.
Why doesn't my Whirlpool water heater serial decode?
Some older American-built tanks use a plain sequential serial with no date in it. Those labels usually carry a separate date or warranty code; if not, American Water Heater support can look up the serial.
Sources and accuracy
The Whirlpool / American Water Heater 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 Whirlpool / American Water Heater. 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.