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JohnsPop · May 6, 2010, 01:54 PM

I have a Rheem water and I can't tell how old it is. I couldn't find any info on it on their website. It says 1991 on the label but it's part of an ANSI number and I think that's when that ANSI standard was published and not the actual age of the heater. The model number is 21V40-7 and the SN is RN0693A41716. Thanks!

Pat

mygirlsdad77 · May 6, 2010, 02:58 PM

My geuss is it was manufactured in 1993. Best bet is to call rheem with the model and serial number and they will be able to tell you for sure.

massplumber2008 · May 6, 2010, 05:20 PM

Hi all:

MGD77 nailed it... your water heater was manufactured in June of 1993... no warranty here, for sure! In terms of average life span your water heater has exceeded the norm... ;)

Now, why are you asking?

Let us know...

Mark

JohnsPop · May 6, 2010, 05:38 PM

Yeah, I figured the warranty was no good. :-) It's leaking out the pop-off valve or whatever you call it and running out on the floor when we take showers. Not a whole lot, but enough to be annoying. I could have the plumber replace the valve. I could have the plumber put a pressure tank on the top of it. I could have the plumber run the line from the pop-off valve into a drain line that's close by... BUT... I'm thinking that with a 17 year old heater we may as well replace the whole thing and put the pressure tank in while we're at it since that's code here now. I'm half expecting to walk in or wake up every day and find our basement completely flooded even though the heater looks in good shape from the outside. Plus it's only a 40 gallon heater and we never really run out of hot water, but it is a 4 bedroom 3 bath house with 2 full kitchens so if we get ready to sell it I think a larger heater might be a good selling point.

Milo Dolezal · May 6, 2010, 07:12 PM

I am little late to this post - but as it was said above: your heater was manufactured 6th week of 1993 with 7 year warranty.

If the T&P valve leaks that means you have either too high pressure or water is too hot. First I would check the pressure. If too high, replace Pressure Regulator. No need to replace water heater.

If you have too hot water than the thermostat is probably bad. In this case, I would suggest that you replace the heater.

In any case, the valve has to be now replaced since there is a good chance the spring inside the valve lost its "memory".

JohnsPop · May 6, 2010, 08:27 PM

I didn't even think about the water being too hot... Thanks Milo, I'll check that. I hardly ever turn on full hot water and I don't know what the thermostat is set on but I'll check it and turn it down if it's jacked up real high.

The reason I'm kind of quick to replace the entire unit is because we're eventually going to replumb the entire house anyway, we just don't want to spend the $4-$5K right now to do it. Since the heater's so old and we're going to replace it anyway when we get around to replumbing, I just figured what the hey, replace it you know? We'll definitely be replumbing in the next year or two we just didn't want to spend the money right now since nothing major is wrong. I just don't want that dang 17 year old heater to blow and flood the basement which is where I work on my model airplanes!! :D I keep most stuff up off the floor but I set this or that down there from time to time and you KNOW it'll blow when I have something important on the floor. (chuckle)

Oh yeah, just for future reference, I get the 06/93 from the serial number and you get the 7 year warranty from the -7 in the model number?

speedball1 · May 7, 2010, 05:46 AM

I'm a great believer in, " If it ain't broke don't fix it" Does your heater produce enough hot waterand do you flush it out every month or so? I have a heater that came with the house 55 years ago that's still working. If this were my house I'd replace the T&P valve, install a expansion tank on the cold water inlet and keep the old heater. Good luck in whatever you decide, Tom

Milo Dolezal · May 7, 2010, 08:16 AM

We always replace water heaters as part of repipe. This way, you are starting with entire new system.

Yes, the model number includes (- / dash) 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 or 12, indicating number or years of warranty.

speedball1 · May 7, 2010, 09:12 AM

We always replace water heaters as part of repipe. This way, you are starting with entire new system.

And it sure helps when it comes to billing.

Lauri04 · Jan 28, 2013, 09:24 AM

Could someone tell me how old this water heater would be please?

RP150
Item# 900503605
Ser: 0801J03118

It isn't heating a full bathtub anymore.

massplumber2008 · Jan 28, 2013, 09:49 AM

Hi Lauri04

It looks like the heater was manufactured in August of 2001 (0801... )

Electric or gas water heater?

Mark

Lauri04 · Jan 28, 2013, 09:51 AM

It's Gas, thanks