Bryant is a well-known brand for air conditioners that has been around for years. You may have even had a Bryant air conditioner for so long that you can't remember how old it is. But how can you find out the age of your Bryant AC? Don't worry! We've researched the answers for you.
You can determine the age of your Bryant air conditioner by decoding the serial code on the printed description or label. You just need to identify the day, month, and year of manufacture. However, the format differs in the year when the unit was made.
You'll surely learn from this article. We'll talk about Bryant air conditioners and how to identify their age. We'll also discuss its functions and some relevant things about Bryant air conditioners. You'll learn a lot with us. So let's keep reading!
How to Determine the Age of a Bryant Air Conditioner?
Typically, a manufacturing date is printed in sticker paper. This is to label the units according to their sequence of production.
Air conditioners undergo a quality check, in which the parts are tested before the manufacturer sells them to the public. Manufacturers usually make a unique serial code for successful units. The date of manufacture is most likely included in this serial code.
Types of Serial Codes for Bryant Air Conditioner
The format of serial codes on Bryant air conditioners may change. It's best to keep yourself updated with these changes depending on the manufacturer.
It's important to learn how to read the serial codes. See below for these types.
10-Character Serial Code (Modern)
This is the latest serial code at this time. The first two numbers of this code indicate the week the unit was made, followed by another two numbers that tell the year. A single letter is then next to the year, and five more numbers to show the sequence. See an example below of what the code looks like:
Serial code: "0509G11273"
The code means, "fifth week of 2009, sequence 11273."
9-Numbers Serial Code (1980's)
Units with this code were made around the 1980's. This code consists of all nine numbers, in which the first two digits tell the year, while the third to fourth digits indicate the month. Then the last five digits are the sequence. See this example below.
Serial code: "850315098"
The code should read as, "year 1985 in March, sequence 15098."
8-Character Serial Code (1980-1984)
This code was used from 1980 to 1984 only. The first letter tells the month, while the first number tells the year. The last five numbers indicate the sequence. The month is abbreviated by letters from "M" to "Z", in which "M" means January and "Z" means December.
Also, the number is coded by the year. "0" means 1980 up to the count of "4", which means 1984. Take a look at the example below.
Serial code: "V2D13927"
It reads, "August 1982, sequence 13927."
7-Character Serial Code (1970's)
Codes like this are available on units from the 1970's. The code starts with a single letter, then is followed by six numbers. It looks the same as the codes from 1980 to 1984, except that there's no letter between the date and the sequence.
The month has an abbreviation from letters "A" to "L", with "A" being January and "L" being December. The year ranges from "0" to "9", representing 1970 to 1979. Check the example below.
Serial code: "D764003"
The serial code reads as, "April 1977, sequence 64003."
7-Numbers Serial Code (1960's)
The code consists of seven numbers, in which the first states the year and the rest represent the sequence. However, most units with this serial code are not available in service and are believed to be out of life expectancy. Refer to the example below.
Serial code: "6205314"
This code reads as, "year 1960's, sequence 205314."
The Letter-Year Code (1960-1979)
This is the oldest and first serial code for Bryant air conditioners. The first 1-2 numbers state the week, while the only letter tells the year. The last six digits represent the sequence. Each letter represents a code per year. See this example below.
Serial code: "38P179502"
This code should read as, "38th week of 1963, sequence 179502."
Do Bryant Air Conditioners Have a Warranty?
If you register your AC unit within 90 days of purchase, Bryant will grant you a warranty of 10 years. If you do not register within that time frame, you will have a five-year warranty. However, the warranty depends on the agreement between you and the company.
Is An Old Air conditioner Bad for Your Health?
Your old AC unit can pose a potential health risk, especially if the motors don't function the same way they did before. You may experience asthma, headaches, and difficulty breathing.
However, the health associated with old AC units depends on whether the room has proper ventilation. It's important to ensure the quality of the air you breathe.
How to Maintain an Old Air Conditioner
Once you find out how old your AC unit is, you should do something to prolong its lifespan. See below for some ways you can maintain the quality of an old AC.
Change the Filter
Bryant air conditioners, or any other unit, should change the air filter at least every 80-90 days. You can consider 50–60 days if you have pets. Changing the filter minimizes the risk of inhaling contaminated air.
Clean the Unit
Another way to maintain the quality of the AC is to clean it. Cleaning also enhances the air temperature.
Simply prepare the following tools:
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Screwdriver
- Water Hose
- Scrubbing Brush
- Lubricant
To clean the AC unit, simply follow these steps:
- Turn off the AC, then start vacuuming the condenser fins.
- Remove the cover with a screwdriver. Detach and set aside the condenser fan.
- Use a water hose to wash the screens. You can also scrub them to eliminate hard dirt.
- Lubricate the condenser fan to improve performance.
- Let the AC unit dry and reassemble the condenser fan.
Watch the short video below to understand how to clean the AC:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?start=36&end=88&v=pzDNFuiAESE&feature=youtu.be
Keep the AC Unit Safe
Protecting your AC unit extends its efficiency. You can consider relocating it to safer places, like a roofed garage or spare room.
You can also use an AC cover to protect it when it rains.
Keep the Temperature Cool
Maintain a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Old AC units tend to be less efficient than new ones. You can also limit the hours of use to prevent overheating.
When to Replace the Air Conditioner?
You should know when to replace an AC unit. Aside from identifying its age, you should be aware of signs an AC is not performing well. Remember that encountering any of the following is not an immediate sign of replacement. These are just signs that your AC might have reached its limit. Consider these signs below.
Warm Air
If the AC unit is frequently blowing warm air, then it's possible that the evaporator coil has reached its limit. You can try refilling the refrigerant but also look for the other causes. See if the condenser fan, compressor, and other parts are working.
Loud Noise
You might hear a loud, ticking noise when turning on the AC. It could be that the internal motors are loose from their places. Check the screws and some locking spots if the motors are stable.
Another reason could be the rust. The metallic rods inside the AC unit can crash against other components if the rust is too thick. You may check if they can be fixed, concluding that the AC needs replacement.
Leakages
The old AC might have water leaking all over itself. This is probably due to a broken condenser line. Check if the components got wet. The wires may corrode depending on how severe the leakage is.
Also, inspect if the refrigerant lines are exposed. It can be harmful to the AC and to you as well. Assess how much the leakage has spread throughout the unit.
Conclusion
This is such an article full of useful details. We learned to read the serial codes on Bryant air conditioners, so that we can identify the unit's age.
We realized that an old AC unit could be risky for our health. That's why we provided some ways, like cleaning, to maintain its quality.
Finally, we shared with you some signs that tell you your AC needs a replacement. Take good care of your AC to maximize its efficiency.
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