Reading Your Hot Water Tank Label
The rating plate on your hot water tank tells you its age, size and fuel type: the first three things a plumber will ask.
Request a plumberFind the plate
Look on the side of the tank near the top, or beside the gas control or electrical cover.
The serial number
Most brands code the manufacture date into the serial number. Search the brand name with "serial number date" to decode it.
Capacity
The plate lists the tank size, often in both litres and US gallons. If you often run short, the next tank may need to be larger.
Fuel
Gas tanks list BTU input; electric tanks list voltage and wattage. A replacement needs to match, or the plumber will explain what has to change.
Rented tanks
If your utility bill shows a water heater rental charge, the tank belongs to the rental company. Contact them before arranging a repair.
Next step
Send the details with your request. See hot water tanks.
Hard water and tank life
Hard water speeds up the build-up of scale in the bottom of a tank, which can shorten its life and make it noisy. If your tank is rumbling and you don't have a softener, the plumber can check the anode rod and talk through whether a softener would help the next tank last longer.
Warranty details
Some tanks list the warranty length on the label or a sticker nearby. A tank still under warranty may qualify for a replacement part or tank; check before paying for a new one, and keep the receipt from the original install with your home records.
More plumbing guides
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