The serial numbers can determine the Kenmore water heater’s age to know the production date or your Kenmore’s age. Kenmore is a well-known brand of household appliances sold by Sears and has been around for over 100 years.
They have produced many appliances, including a Kenmore water heater. Kenmore water heaters are available in the Sears store alongside other household appliances. They are available in many types, such as gas type, electric type, or hybrid type.
Below is the overview of those three types:
Gas Kenmore Water heater
The gas Kenmore water heater has two types; they are standard and elite types. The standard types vary from 30 to 98 gallons, and the sizes 40 and 50 gallons are the most popular ones. Then there is the elite series, which is more advanced than the standard series. It is only available in two sizes, both with a 12-year warranty.
Gas water heaters can heat more water at a quicker rate, making them suitable for households with high hot water demand, but gas water heater is often cheaper than electricity, which can result in lower operating costs for a gas water heater in the long run.
Electric Kenmore Water Heater
This type of Kenmore water heater comes in a wide variety of sizes. It ranges from 10 to 50 gallons, from short to tall size. The best one comes with a 12-year warranty, 3 inches R-value of 24 of thick foam insulation, a super last-long Lifeguard, and is complete with a RotoSwirl inlet tube.
Electric water heaters tend to have a lower initial purchase price compared to gas water heaters. They are also easier and less expensive to install in some cases, also the electric water heaters do not produce combustion gases, making them safer and cleaner. There is no risk of carbon monoxide emissions with electric heaters.
Hybrid Kenmore water heater
The best among Kenmore water heater types is the hybrid water heater, which is a bit more expensive than the other two. It uses heat pumps and electric heating elements, which give high efficiency, save more than 60% energy, and is Energy-Star approved. This type also has smart electronics, user-friendly touchpad control, and other advanced features.
The three types above almost have the same lifespan. According to the brand, a Kenmore water heater’s average lifespan is about 16 and a half years.
Read also: Average Cost Of Hot Water Heater Installation
The reasons for replacement are usually caused by the tank leak, gas valve or pilot light malfunction, or other preventative maintenance (being used past its expected life).
How to Know the Kenmore Water Heater Age
The Kenmore water heater’s age can be clearly seen through the serial numbers on the product you buy. To know the water heater age by serial number, you can look at the first two or three digits of the Kenmore water heater’s serial numbers.
The age is usually encoded in the serial number or year of manufacture. Usually, the first two digits refer to the year of the product being manufactured. For example:
Style 1: 1295c1xxxx
The digits 1 and 2 above represent the year of the product being manufactured; it means that the product was made in 2012.
Style 2: A0330xxxx
When there is a letter before the number, it symbolizes the month order. A is for January, B is for February, and so on. The two numbers after the letter show the year the Kenmore water heater was made. So the serial number above shows that the product was made in January 2003.
Different manufacturers may use different date code formats, so it’s essential to look for Kenmore-specific information. Determining the age of your water heater can be useful for maintenance and replacement planning, as the average lifespan of a water heater is around 10-15 years.
