Determine York HVAC Age from Serial Number

York Serial Number is important to identify the date of production or age of YORK® air conditioner and furnace. The serial number (and model number) also needed when you want to check the warranty status. York serial number has sorted into two different serial numbers, the old serial number used from 1971 through 2004 and new serial number nomenclature used from 10/6/2004 through today’s.

York, Luxaire and Coleman are three brands owned by Johnson Controls. It makes the new York serial numbers nomenclature is identical to Luxaire and Coleman serial number as well as how to decode.

How do I find my York serial number?

Finding the serial number for your York HVAC unit is essential for a variety of reasons, including warranty claims, servicing, and determining the age of your unit. Here’s a simple guide to help you locate it:

The most straightforward method to find your York serial number is by inspecting the unit itself.

• Outdoor Unit: For central air conditioners and heat pumps, check the outdoor compressor/condenser unit. Typically, there will be a label or sticker on the side or at the back of the unit.
• Indoor Unit: For furnaces or air handlers, open the door or panel to access the inside of the unit. The serial number is often on a label affixed to the inner part of the door or the body of the unit.

If you have retained the user manual or warranty card that came with your unit, it’s likely that the serial number is mentioned there. Often, when the equipment is installed, the installer might note down the serial number in the manual or on the warranty card for reference.

After you find the location of the York serial number, the next step is to decipher the code in it. This way, you can identify how old your unit is.

How to Read York Serial Number

Over the years, York has used various formats for their serial numbers, but let’s break down one of the most common formats. The typical format used for many years by York is a combination of letters and numbers.

Example: W0D5 1234567

Here’s how to decode it:

1. The First Letter (W): This often represents the manufacturing plant. W is for Wichita.
2. The Second and Fourth Characters (0 & 5): This is the third digit of the year of manufacture. In our example, it’s 2005. If it was a 1 and 1, it would be 2011, and so forth.
3. The Third (D): These two digits together represent the month of manufacture. So, D would be the April.

However, it’s crucial to understand that serial number formats can change over the years. The format described above is one of the most common ones, but there are variations, especially in older or newer units. If you have a format that doesn’t match the example, you might want to consult with a York representative or HVAC professional familiar with York systems for accurate decoding.

Additionally, some York serial numbers can also provide information on the plant location, sequence of manufacture, and other details. However, these details might not be as readily decodable without insider knowledge of York’s manufacturing and serial number assignment practices.

How to Tell York Age by Serial Number?

For York HVAC systems produced between 2004 and today, the serial number structure has specific characteristics to help you identify the age of the system. In this format, the initial and third characters are alphabetic letters, while the second and fourth characters are numerals. These two numbers combined reveal the manufacturing year the system was made.

In older York serial numbers, the format includes a sequence of four alphabetic letters succeeded by a set of six digits. Among these letters, the third one is particularly significant as it denotes the year when the unit was manufactured.

How to decode the old style of York serial number?

The old style of these serial numbers are for York air conditioner and furnace units that were manufactured before 2004. This style is the original York serial number, formatted in 10 character begins with four letters and six digits numbers.

Old Serial Number format will look like this: YBVM220710, BDHM203490, BKVM310394 etc..

Serial number example: #YBVM220710

• Y = the point of manufacturer
• B = the month of manufacture, February
• V = the year of manufacture, 1988
• M = the types of items, Mfg. Basic Unit

From the example above, we can identify that the unit was manufactured in february 1988.

Keep in mind, that some letters in York serial number nomenclature is repeat over the years.

How to decode the new style of York rerial number?

The new style of York serial number is more simple. The year of manufacture are directly written with the number in the 2nd and 4rt digit serial number. This style of serial number applies to all units builts after 10/6/2004.

Serial Number format will look like this: N0L4123456

Serial number example: #N0L4298223

• N = the plant ID, Norman
• 0 and 4 = year of manufacture, 2004
• L = the month of manufacture, October

From the example above, we can identify that the unit was manufactured in october 2004. The year of manufacture is combine in the 2nd digits and the 4th digits.

Note: Over the years, coding methods can change, and there might be variations based on specific models or regions. Always refer to York’s specific documentation or consult with an HVAC expert if unsure.

When you know the age of your York HVAC system, you can make informed decisions about its maintenance, repair, and potential replacement, ensuring that your home stays comfortable throughout the year.

If you have any issues with finding your York serial number and how to decode it, don’t hesitate to contact us. If your York HVAC unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, find trust HVAC contractor to give you some quotes.