Quck answer
To determine the age of a GE refrigerator, you can follow these steps:
1. Look for the model and serial number: Check the inside walls, back, or bottom of the refrigerator for a sticker or plate containing the model and serial number.
2. Decode the serial number: The serial number usually contains the manufacturing date. It may start with two letters, followed by a series of numbers. The first letter represents the month (A for January, B for February, etc.), and the second letter represents the year (A for 2001, B for 2002, etc.).
3. Use online resources: Several websites provide tools to decode GE refrigerator serial numbers. Simply enter the serial number, and the website will provide you with the manufacturing date.
By following these steps, you can easily determine the age of your GE refrigerator.
If you have recently moved into a new place that already has appliances, you may want to find out how old they are. Good appliances can last for many years, and it is possible to estimate the age of well-known brand appliances to some extent. So, how can you tell how old your GE refrigerator is? Luckily, there is a simple way to find out.
Standard Serial Numbers
Most major appliance manufacturers use a coding system for their model or serial numbers to indicate the year of production. These codes typically incorporate numbers and letters to represent the month and year within the serial number.
Since there are only a limited number of letters in the alphabet, most companies use a rotating system. For instance, GE changes their letters approximately every 12 years. Therefore, if you have a rough idea of the decade your refrigerator is from, you can use the serial number to determine the exact month or year.
GE Refrigerator Date Code
These codes are not intended to be secretive – they simply make it easier to identify the serial number. Similar serial number systems are used for many modern appliances, ranging from kitchen appliances to water heaters in basements. You can usually find an explanation of a company’s serial number system online to help you decipher it.
For a GE refrigerator, the first step is to locate the serial number tag or label. This is usually found on an interior wall of the refrigerator, but it may also be on the door. The label will display several numbers, including the serial number and model number, and may include additional information about codes and standards that the appliance adheres to. Make sure you locate the serial number, not the model number; the serial number will start with two letters followed by six numbers.
The first letter indicates the month, as explained in a GE chart that details GE refrigerator models by year. The second letter represents the year. Therefore, a serial number starting with DF would indicate that your refrigerator was manufactured in February (D) of either 2015, 2003, or 1991. GE identifies production years all the way back to 1944, but since the likelihood of finding a refrigerator model from that era is increasingly rare, you can focus on the first two or three years mentioned in the code.
Examining the Appliance
After obtaining this information, you just need to understand a bit about your model, as the GE refrigerator model number decoder does not provide exact years. Refrigerators from 2015 will have a sleeker design, are likely to have water and ice dispensers, and may feature smart technology. On the other hand, a refrigerator from 2003 is likely to be smaller and lack the advanced technology found in today’s models. A refrigerator from 1991 will have a very distinct, dated appearance. Your landlord or the real estate agent you worked with should have enough information about renovations and projects to help you determine the age of the unit.
Longevity of a Refrigerator
Typically, a refrigerator of good quality can remain functional for approximately 15 years before any potential issues arise. Therefore, even if your refrigerator is a model from 2003, as long as it continues to work properly, there might not be a pressing need to replace it. Upon determining the age of your refrigerator, you can begin preparing financially for an upgrade or start saving funds for when the appliance eventually starts to malfunction.
