Goodman is the value brand of Daikin and one of the most common furnace and AC names in the country. Its serial is the simplest in the business: the first two digits are the year and the next two are the month. Amana heating equipment made since 1997 and Daikin-branded unitary equipment since 2012 use the same rule.
The first two digits are the year and the next two are the month. The rest is a production number.
9704011000 reads as April 1997.
Two sources agree Building Intelligence Center, PickHVAC, HVACbase, Waypoint Property Inspection, McGarry and Madsen Home Inspection
A gas furnace usually lasts 15 to 20 years. Well-maintained units in mild climates reach 25; units that run hard with dirty filters fail sooner.
How long does a furnace last? · Should I replace my furnace? · HVAC.com, Lennox, InterNACHI (15-25)
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The age you just looked up is the kind of fact that gets lost. A written record of serial numbers, install dates, repairs and who did the work saves the next owner, inspector or insurer from guessing.
A lifetime logbook for the house, organized by system, with room for serial numbers, install dates, repairs and contractors. It stays with the house for the next owner.
Galvanized, polybutylene, cast iron and the sewer line: what fails, what it costs, what insurance won't cover and how to decide.
A buyer's guide to older homes: wiring, pipes, lead, asbestos, insurance refusals and what the repairs actually cost.
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