How Old Is My Carrier Furnace?
The first two digits of a modern Carrier-family serial number are the week of the year and the next two are the year. Type the serial number from your furnace's data plate below.
Where the serial number is on a 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."
How to read a Carrier serial number
The first two digits of a modern Carrier-family serial number are the week of the year and the next two are the year.
10 characters (4 digits, a letter, 5 digits), 1980s to today
WW YY L #####
- Digits 1 and 2 are the week of the year (01 to 52).
- Digits 3 and 4 are the year: 19 means 2019.
- The letter after them is the factory.
Example: 0519E28045
Older 7, 8 and 9 character serials from the 1960s to 1980s use several different codes. Published guides disagree on them, so we do not decode them yet.
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.
Furnaces made before 1992 were built before the federal 78% efficiency minimum. If yours is that old, a new 95% furnace could cut your heating fuel use by a quarter or more.
Questions
How do I find the age of my Carrier furnace?
The first two digits of a modern Carrier-family serial number are the week of the year and the next two are the year. You'll find the serial number on the data plate. 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."
How long does a Carrier furnace last?
Like most furnaces, a Carrier typically lasts 15 to 20 years with regular servicing.
Related
How sure are these dates? Published guides agree on this code, but we have not yet checked it against an official record. 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.