How to Tell the Age of Your Bryant Furnace
Do you know how old your Bryant furnace was when you had it installed in your Pacific Northwest home?
If you are like most homeowners, you probably have all the installation paperwork but nothing to show for the manufacture date. Age may not seem to matter if your furnace has been working without a glitch from year to year, but the information is more important than at first glance.
Knowing the manufacturing date can help inform decisions about equipment repair and replacement. The age of your furnace is essential when attempting to assess efficiency, quickly convey information to a technician, or make a warranty claim.
Every Bryant dealer in our Bryant Northwest online directory can assist you with your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) needs, including determining the age of your furnace.
You can access our Bryant Northwest network and find a Bryant dealer near you in Montana, Oregon, and Washington by clicking our online link.
Finding Your Furnace Serial Number
Determining your furnace’s age starts with its serial number. The number is on a long sticker inside the furnace cabinet. It may be posted near the blower compartment or inside the cabinet access door. If you do not see it inside the cabinet, check the furnace exterior.
The original owner’s manual for your Bryant furnace may include the serial number, too.
Armed with the serial number, you can contact a Bryant dealer to obtain the age or decode the number yourself.
Understanding Your Furnace Serial Number
- The first four characters of the serial number typically indicate the date of manufacture.
- The serial number on older Bryant models includes an alphabet letter followed by numbers to express the date. Each letter indicates the month.
- The letter A, for example, stands for January, and B for February. The two numbers combined with the letter indicate the year of manufacture. B85 stands for February 1985.
- Bryant no longer uses alphabet letters to express furnace manufacturing dates. On newer models, four numbers indicate the date.
- In this format, the first two numbers represent the week the furnace was manufactured, and the last two numbers show the year. For example, a serial number starting with 5117 indicates week 51 in 2017.
If you are unsure about the format, call a member of our Bryant Northwest network for clarification. Bryant dealers can accurately determine the manufacturing date.
Get the Most Value From Your Furnace
- Records: Jot the number down and file it with your records. If you do not have furnace records, commit to maintaining this essential paperwork now. Put your furnace operating instructions, maintenance history, repair receipts, serial number, and age in a folder and store it in an easily accessible place in your home.
- Safety: Your furnace may have outdated technology and safety features that do not protect you adequately from carbon monoxide (CO) leaks and other problems. Without knowing its age, you may not even know you are in jeopardy. An accurate manufacturing date can help you understand equipment risks and take precautions.
- Energy Efficiency: Older furnaces in service for 15 or 20 years are much less efficient than newer units. An inefficient furnace consumes more energy and wastes money. That can be significant when you consider that heating typically accounts for 42 percent of your utility bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Pinpointing the manufacturing date of your furnace can help you assess its energy efficiency.
- Replacement: Furnace longevity typically is 15 to 20 years, although some well-maintained units can last longer. The manufacturing date of your furnace can help you plan for replacement.
Do you want to push the envelope beyond 20 years, knowing your equipment will be less efficient, or replace it at 15 years with a high-efficiency model? The age of your furnace can help you choose.
- Warranty: Your furnace warranty covers parts and labor for a specific period. Knowing your furnace’s age gives you a better grasp of how much time remains before your warranty expires.
Furnace Maintenance at Any Age
An annual tune-up is the key to efficiency and longevity. Although maintenance will have less effect on an inefficient furnace that has outlasted its expected lifespan, it is essential at any age.
An annual safety check is even more important in an older unit. Replacing worn parts and cleaning and lubricating components can rejuvenate your furnace. Identifying potential problems before they escalate can avoid a future breakdown.
Besides scheduling a professional checkup annually, make it a habit to inspect your furnace air filter for dirt every month and replace it if necessary. Dirty and clogged air filters restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work inefficiently and possibly overheat.
Your furnace instruction manual should provide information about the type of filter you should install and how often you should replace it.
Find a Bryant Dealer Near You
Determining your furnace’s manufacturing date gives you insight into its lifespan and efficiency. This information is helpful as you plan maintenance, repairs, and replacement. When you need a reliable Bryant dealer to assist with your HVAC needs, visit our Bryant Northwest directory.
You can find a Bryant dealer in Montana, Oregon, or Washington by clicking our online link.