HVAC Equipment Decoder
Decode your HVAC equipment's age and capacity instantly. Enter the model number (for tonnage) and/or serial number (for age). We'll auto-detect the manufacturer, or you can select it manually for highest accuracy.
Equipment Decoder
Enter model and/or serial number from the equipment data plate. Select manufacturer for best accuracy, or use auto-detect.
Selecting a brand increases accuracy to 95%. Auto-detect is 85-90% accurate.
Usually starts with numbers and letters, found on the data plate
Numeric or alphanumeric code, found below the model number
Multiple Possible Matches Found
This serial/model number matches multiple manufacturers. Click to select the correct one:
💡 Tip: Check your data plate for the manufacturer name, or enter both model and serial numbers for better accuracy.
Cooling Capacity
Brand:
BTU/hr:
Confidence:
Manufacturing Date
Brand:
Age:
Condition:
Unable to Decode
Troubleshooting:
- Try selecting the brand manually for better accuracy
- Double-check for typos (O vs 0, I vs 1)
- Make sure you're entering the model/serial, not other data plate info
- Some older or specialty units use uncommon formats
Smart Auto-Detection
This tool can automatically identify the manufacturer from your model or serial number. For highest accuracy (95%), select the brand manually. Auto-detection is 85-90% accurate and works across 18+ major manufacturers.
How to Use This Tool
Quick Start Guide
- Find your data plate - Located on the exterior of the unit (silver or white label)
- (Optional) Select manufacturer - Choose from dropdown for best accuracy, or leave on "Auto-detect"
- Enter model number - This gives you cooling capacity (tonnage)
- Enter serial number - This gives you manufacturing year and age
- Click "Decode Equipment" - Results appear in seconds
What You'll Get:
- From Model Number: Cooling capacity in tons, BTU/hr, and equipment size category
- From Serial Number: Manufacturing year, current age, and condition assessment
- Brand Detection: Auto-identified manufacturer (if using auto-detect)
- Confidence Score: How certain we are about each result (60-95%)
Model Number: Usually the longest alphanumeric code at the top of the data plate (e.g., 48FCDM08A2A5A0A0A1)
Serial Number: Below the model number, often starts with digits or a letter+digits (e.g., 1923P41851)
Manufacturer: Brand name printed at the top (Carrier, York, Trane, etc.)
Why This Information Matters
Cooling Capacity (Tonnage)
The tonnage tells you the unit's cooling capacity. One ton = 12,000 BTU/hr of cooling. This helps you:
- Verify the unit is properly sized for the space
- Understand energy consumption and operating costs
- Plan for replacement with appropriately sized equipment
- Compare quotes from contractors (they should match tonnage)
Manufacturing Year (Age)
Knowing the unit's age is critical for assessment. It tells you:
- Remaining Lifespan: Average commercial unit lasts 18-22 years
- Warranty Status: Most units have 5-10 year warranties
- Repair vs Replace: Older units often cost more to repair than replace
- Efficiency: Newer units are significantly more energy efficient
Age Guidelines
- 0-10 years: Good condition, plan for maintenance
- 10-15 years: Mid-life, monitor for issues
- 15-20 years: Approaching end of life, budget for replacement
- 20+ years: Past typical lifespan, replacement recommended
Supported Manufacturers
This decoder supports 95%+ of commercial HVAC equipment in North America, including:
Major Brands
- Carrier & Bryant
- York
- Trane & American Standard
- Lennox
- Rheem & Ruud
ICP & Others
- Heil & Tempstar
- Comfortmaker
- Day & Night
- Daikin & Goodman
- Mitsubishi & Toshiba
Example Results
Sample Decode:
Carrier unit with model 48FCDM08A2A5A0A0A1 and serial 1923P41851
Cooling Capacity: 7.5 tons (90,000 BTU/hr)
Medium commercial unit • 95% confidence
Manufacturing Date: 2023
2 years old • Good condition - Regular maintenance recommended