How Old is My Air Conditioner or Furnace? Finding HVAC System Age

You’re here because you need to know the age of your heating and cooling system. Or you wandered here by accident, I suppose? If it’s that first reason though, there’s good news! This shouldn’t be hard to figure out.

We install, repair and service furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and more here in the Sacramento area, and our technicians have worked with every major brand or HVAC equipment, both locally and elsewhere.

Below are the quickest, most reliable methods for identifying the age of your HVAC system.

Why HVAC Age Matters

Quickly, why should it matter how old your system is? A few important reasons:

1. Insurance. For HVAC systems to be insured, companies will require a serial number and manufacturing date.
2. Home Expense Planning. When should you get a new HVAC system? If you don’t know, an unexpected - and large - charge could catch you by surprise!
3. Maintenance and Warranty. Warranties are tied to the age of your system. If you’re under warranty, don’t you want to know about it? It could save you on maintenance and repairs.

Identifying Furnace Age

We’ll start with the furnace, but some of these methods are going to be identical for other major pieces of equipment in your home.

Serial Tag

On the bottom and outside of your furnace, there should be a removable door. On the inside is some information, including (often) a serial tag number.

The number is four digits, and this usually corresponds to the month and year your unit was manufactured.

Model Number Manufacturing Date

In the absence of a serial tag, your unit has a model number that can be traced to a manufacturing date.

The model number is often in the same area as the serial tag. It’s also generally included in installation materials such as a user’s manual or receipt from a contractor.

This won’t give you an age in and of itself, but you can then call the manufacturer to confirm the age with this number. Many manufacturers have online portals for lookups as well. You HVAC contractor should be able to do this as well, if needed.

Installation Information

If that isn’t possible either, there are a couple other ways to track down your system’s age. There’s often a service card on the outside of your HVAC system where companies mark things like installation date and maintenance dates.

If the original service card is still affixed to the system, you can usually trace this back to its origin.

Another option is calling the company who installed the unit, or even the manufacturer, who may be able to help you track down this information.

If all else fails, call a licensed HVAC technician to investigate, who may have more success in identifying the age.

Identifying Air Conditioner Age

We’ll go through the primary methods of identification, but many of them are identical - or nearly so - to identifying furnace age.

Condenser Plate

For this you’ll need to go outside, to your outdoor AC unit. There’s a small plate with information on every air conditioner that has the manufacturer's date. This is usually in the top right corner of the condenser plate.

Model Number Manufacturing Date

If for some reason the date isn’t listed on the condenser plate, this same card should have serial and model number as well, which you can use to look up its age on the manufacturer’s website or by calling them directly.

Installation Information

If you know the company who installed the system, they should have this information on file and can share it as requested.

Danger of an Old HVAC System

If your system is old enough to legally drink alcohol, you may have a problem. First off is that HVAC and alcohol don’t mix well.

More seriously, older systems come with a host of potential problems. Some are more obvious than others. Below we discuss the biggest of them, ones that may lead to considering a new system entirely.

1. Inefficiency. That A/C or furnace from 20+ years ago is operating at far lower efficiency levels compared to a new system, even if it seems to be running properly. Advances in heating and cooling technology combined with wear & tear over time can eat into your HVAC efficiency by 50% or more! This is equivalent to hundreds or even thousands more dollars spent per year.
2. Resale Value. The difference between a 10-year-old system and a 12-year-old system, for instance, isn’t large, but if your home is being inspected for resale and there’s a system that needs replacing, it can often damage the total you’ll ultimately receive for it.
3. Comfort. If you have hot & cold spots in your home, struggle to keep the 2nd floor comfortable year-round, have trouble sleeping because it’s too hot, or there are individual rooms that always seem to be less comfortable, your HVAC system is a part of the problem.
4. Air Quality. Older systems also often suffer in maintaining good air quality, which is one of the primary functions of an HVAC system. It may also have been decades since the ducts were cleaned. Or it may never have happened! A full system inspection, cleaning and replacement can solve a lot of these issues.
5. Increased Noise. Older systems are often noisier, and this also means that there’s a greater risk of breakdowns in some cases.
6. Safety Risks. Many older systems operate safely, but the risk becomes greater as a system ages. Particularly with natural gas systems, safety risks can be extremely dangerous.

Regular tune-ups can help with a lot of these too, in fairness. We’re not saying that you absolutely need to replace your older system. However, the longer you expect to stay in your home, the more money, energy and comfort you’re giving away due to an old heating and cooling system.

Repairing, Replacing and Maintaining Your HVAC System

Some of these considerations may not be at the top of your mind, but it pays to be aware of them.

You should be getting a yearly tune-up regardless of how old your system is, to avoid costly repairs and keep your system running smoothly. You should be aware of your options as a homeowner in order to make the best decisions for your wallet and your home comfort and air quality.

For now, though, we hope you know the age of your system, for whatever purpose you need that information. When you’re ready for the other stuff - consultation on HVAC and other home comfort services - give us a call here at CABS Heating and Air Conditioning. Free quotes, no pressure sales, and a friendly, expert staff who’s ready to help!