How do you tell the age of an AC unit?

Why would you want to know the age of an AC unit?

When purchasing a home, it is important to look at some of the more expensive components of a property. This will help you to have a better understanding of the condition of the property and also help you to budget for potential future repairs. Having an idea of the age of an AC unit can provide some insight into its potential longevity. Of course, with proper and frequent maintenance an AC unit can last longer, but finding out the age is a great starting point for estimating the units lifespan.

Where can I find the age?

Almost always, the answer lies within the serial number. Each manufacturer has a different marking to tell the age, but once the code is cracked, it is very easy to figure out the age of the AC system.

In this example, the date code is the first four numbers of the serial number are the age of the AC unit. The designation is the 26th week of 2015.

In this example, the date code is the first four numbers of the serial number are the age of the AC unit. The designation is the 11th month of 2017.

In this example, the date code is the first four numbers of the serial number (after the three letters) are the age of the AC unit. The designation is the 1st month of 2015.

In this example, the date code is clearly marked in the upper right hand corner. The designation is the 5th month of 2021.

The resource that we use as home inspectors in Phoenix can be found at https://www.building-center.org. This website will provide you with a list of most of the existing (and past) manufacturers and the format that they use to date their system. Once you are on the website, you choose the brand and then match the style (manufacturers change their styles from time to time) with the serial number on the unit. In just a few simple steps, you will be armed with the knowledge of the age of the AC unit!