Ruud Serial Number: How Old Is My Ruud Furnace or AC?
In a Rheem or Ruud heating and cooling serial number, the factory letter is followed by the week and then the year. Type the serial number below for the exact month and year.
About Ruud
Ruud is owned by Rheem and uses the same serial codes. Like Rheem, its water heaters use a different code from its furnaces and air conditioners.
Same serial code: Rheem, Richmond.
By type: Ruud furnace age · Ruud water heater age
Where to find the serial number
Furnace: Take off the front lower panel (turn the power off first). The data plate is a metal or foil sticker on the inside of the door or on the side of the cabinet, next to the blower. The serial number is usually labelled "Serial No.", "S/N" or "Ser. No."
Air conditioner: On the outdoor unit (the condenser), look for the data plate on the side panel, often near the electrical box where the power cables go in. The indoor coil or air handler has its own plate with a different serial number.
Water heater: The rating plate is a sticker on the side of the tank, usually at eye level or just above the gas valve or the upper access panel. Many water heater labels also print the manufacture date, so check for that first.
How to read a Ruud furnace and AC serial number
In a Rheem or Ruud heating and cooling serial number, the factory letter is followed by the week and then the year.
10 characters, starts with a letter (most units)
L WW YY #####
- The letter is the factory.
- The next two digits are the week of the year: 42 is mid-October.
- The two digits after that are the year: 17 means 2017.
Example: W421724596
Longer serials (14 to 17 characters)
…L WW YY #####
- Find the factory letter near the middle (usually F, G, M, N or W).
- The two digits after it are the week, the next two are the year.
Example: 7143W1519143722
Older units: starts with 4 digits
MM YY L #####
- Digits 1 and 2 are the month.
- Digits 3 and 4 are the year.
Example: 0902C11246
How to read a Ruud water heater serial number
Newer Rheem, Ruud and Richmond water heater serials give the week then the year after the first letter; older ones start with the month then the year.
Newer: a letter, then 4 digits, then numbers
L WW YY #####
- Skip the first letter (sometimes after a 4-letter prefix such as RHUN).
- The next two digits are the week of the year.
- The two after that are the year: 14 means 2014.
Example: A0114123456
Older: month and year after any letters
(LLLL) MM YY …
- Skip any letters at the start (such as RHLN or RHNG).
- The first two digits are the month, the next two are the year: 0804 means August 2004.
Example: RHNG0804P000036
How long does a furnace last?
Most furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Yearly servicing, the local climate and how hard it works all move it within that range. Past 15 years, it is worth getting a replacement price before the unit fails, so you aren't forced into a rushed decision.
Questions
How do I tell how old my Ruud furnace is?
Find the serial number on the data plate and read it with the Ruud code: In a Rheem or Ruud heating and cooling serial number, the factory letter is followed by the week and then the year. Or type it into the decoder on this page.
Is the manufacture date printed on the label?
Often, yes, especially on newer units and water heaters. Look for "Mfg. date", "MFD" or "Date of manufacture". If there is a printed date, it is more reliable than decoding the serial number.
Who makes Ruud?
Ruud is made by Rheem Manufacturing (Paloma). The same serial code is used by Rheem, Richmond.
How sure are these dates? Checked against official records (recall notices or data plates with printed dates). How we test the decoder.
Keeping an older furnace going
- Furnace air filter: Change it every 1 to 3 months. Check the size printed on the old filter.
- Carbon monoxide detector plug in: Any gas furnace, and especially an older one, should have a CO alarm nearby.
- Smart thermostat: Cuts run time on any system, old or new.