The age of your furnace can impact its reliability and how much you spend to heat your home. It may be time to invest in new equipment if your heating system is 15 to 20 years old. If you're not sure of its exact age, and you can't find a manufacture date on the outside of the unit, there are some other ways to figure it out.

Look for the Serial Number 

Usually, the first two digits of the serial number are the week the unit was manufactured, and the next two represent the year. For example, a unit with a serial number that begins with 0296 was probably built in the second week of 1996. You can look in a couple of places:

• Remove the blower compartment cover on the bottom-front of the unit, and check the inside of the door for a sticker or label that shows the serial number. With a little luck, you may find the manufacture date printed on it too.
• If you can't find a sticker on the blower door, flip off the circuit breaker that supplies power to the unit so you can examine the fan. Some older furnaces have the serial number stamped right on the blower, or even on one of fan blades, so you may find it in either location.

Search for a Service Sticker

If you aren't able to find the serial number, check the furnace for a sticker that details prior service. It might show the date of installation, and although that won't pinpoint the specific date the equipment was made, it can give you a good estimate of the unit's age.

Get in Touch with the Manufacturer

Even if you can't locate the serial number, the company may be able to identify the model and tell you its approximate age.

If none of these suggestions work, an HVAC professional can offer an expert opinion. For help determining the age of your furnace, contact us at JonLe Heating & Cooling. We've provided outstanding service to greater Cincinnati homeowners since 1959.

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