SerialAtlas
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Water heaters date-code guide

Bradford White serial number lookup

Bradford White uses two leading letters: a repeating 20-year code for year and a separate month letter. SerialAtlas shows plausible cycles instead of hiding the ambiguity.

Parent
Bradford White Corporation
Common code
The first letter is a repeating year code and the second letter is the month code.
Reviewed
August 8, 2026

Instant equipment lookup

Decode the manufacturing date

Runs on this device
Equipment type

Using The first letter is a repeating year code and the second letter is the month code.

Type exactly what is printed. Spaces and dashes are ignored.

Optional: add model number for capacity cluesAdd model

Model decoding is labeled as a clue unless the exact format is documented.

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EQUIPMENT DATA
MODEL24ABC636A003
SERIAL5019X30312
WeekYear

See exactly how the code was read

SerialAtlas highlights the date characters, names the matching rule, and shows alternative interpretations when the code is ambiguous.

  • Current age calculated automatically
  • Confidence and rule source shown
  • Optional model-capacity clue

Evidence-led route update

Bradford White date-code evidence

If you need to estimate a Bradford White water heater’s manufacture age, read both leading letters and keep the repeating cycle visible.

Keep Bradford White’s repeating letter cycle visible

The first letter is a repeating year code and the second letter is the month code. The verified Bradford White family uses a repeating year code in the first letter and a month code in the second. SerialAtlas exposes plausible cycles instead of pretending the letters identify one unique year. The verified Bradford White family uses a repeating year code in the first letter and a month code in the second. The complete tank label and product context are more reliable than forcing one year from a repeating cycle.

Worked example: PB47429651

PB47429651 — The primary documented read is February 2017; the decoder keeps another plausible interpretation visible so the label and equipment era can resolve it.

When the Bradford White year has more than one plausible era

A repeating year code can produce multiple candidates, so the decoder intentionally retains ambiguity. Use the model, records, and official Bradford White support for parts, warranty, or replacement decisions.

Model number vs. serial number

Use the Bradford White model for tank and parts context and the serial for the repeating letter date candidates; neither alone is a parts lookup. Record the full model and serial from the tank label; parts and official support require more than the two date-code letters.

Limits and official support

Bradford White’s repeating year code leaves multiple eras plausible. If the result affects warranty, registration, parts, safety, or replacement decisions, use the complete model and serial with the manufacturer or a qualified professional. SerialAtlas is an independent reference, not an official warranty lookup or warranty coverage decision.

Open Bradford White support route

How to read a Bradford White serial number

The first letter is a repeating year code and the second letter is the month code. SerialAtlas removes spacing and punctuation, then applies only the documented rule families mapped to Bradford White. The lookup remains in the browser.

Try this documented-style examplePB47429651Load example

Equipment covered

  • gas tank water heaters
  • electric tank water heaters
  • heat-pump water heaters
  • selected commercial units

Commercial, imported, very old, specialty, and private-label equipment can use a different code. Confirm the full rating plate before accepting a result.

Where to find the rating plate

  • Upper or lower side of the tank jacket
  • Near the gas control valve on gas models
  • Behind an electrical access panel
  • Side or bottom edge of a tankless cabinet

Why more than one date can appear

Two-digit years and repeating letter cycles can point to more than one era. SerialAtlas ranks the plausible dates but keeps materially different alternatives visible. Label design, refrigerant, installation records, and product literature can resolve the era.

Source and verification

Inspector Handbook open reference data (CC BY 4.0). Independently implemented and reviewed August 8, 2026.

Open reference source

What this result does not prove

A manufacture date is not an installation date, warranty decision, recall match, condition assessment, or replacement recommendation. Confirm high-stakes decisions with the manufacturer or a qualified professional.