Water Heater Label Basics
The rating label on your water heater tells you most of what a plumber will ask: age, size and fuel. Here's how to read it.
Request a plumberWhere it is
On the side of the tank, usually near the top or next to the gas control or electrical cover.
Age
The manufacture date is usually coded into the serial number. Search the brand with "serial number date" to decode it.
Size
The capacity is listed in gallons. If you often run out of hot water, the next heater may need to be larger.
Fuel
Natural gas, propane or electric. Gas and propane models list BTU input; electric models list voltage and wattage.
Flood damage
If water reached the controls or the bottom of the tank, don't use it until it's been inspected.
Next step
Send the label details with your request. See water heater service.
Look around it
Check the floor for water, the pipes on top for green or white crust and the vent on a gas heater for rust or gaps. On a heater in a crawl space, look for signs that water has pooled nearby.
Raise or relocate
If your heater sits low in a crawl space or basement where water could reach it, ask the plumber whether it can be raised or moved when it's next replaced.
First-hour rating
Many labels also list a first-hour rating, which tells you how much hot water the heater can deliver in a busy hour. For a household where several people shower in the morning, that number matters more than tank size.
Take a photo
Snap a clear photo of the label and keep it on your phone. It answers most of the plumber's questions in one go.
More plumbing guides
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