Moving into a house with appliances may cause you to wonder about the age of these appliances, especially the refrigerator. This article shows how to tell the age of a Whirlpool refrigerator.
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How Many Years Does a Whirlpool Refrigerator Last?
The years a Whirlpool refrigerator lasts depends on the model and usage. But the average number of years a Whirlpool refrigerator lasts is 15 years. It can range between 13 and 17, but its functionality may decline once a refrigerator hits 10 years. If you have a new Whirlpool refrigerator, you still have more than a decade to use it. However, if you get an already-used one, there are several ways to determine whether or not it has many years of use left without knowing its actual age.
1. The Refrigerator Constantly Runs
Before using any refrigerator that comes with an apartment or house, it is crucial to run a service check. Ask the landlord to get a service technician to check the refrigerator or hire one yourself for more reliable service. The technician should tell you whether or not the refrigerator is in good condition and what needs to be replaced.
If a refrigerator runs all the time, even though you just started using it, it may indicate that it is coming to the end of its lifespan. Before deciding that the unit is old, a few other faults may cause it to run all the time. The compressor may be bad, the condenser coils may be too dirty, the door seal may be weak, or the fan may be defective.
Therefore, troubleshoot these parts to see if the fault comes from them. The refrigerator may be old if everything seems to be in good working condition. It may be the compressor alone, but the refrigerator’s age determines whether it is more cost-effective to replace the refrigerator than to replace the compressor.
2. Food Does Not Last
If you notice that the food you store in the refrigerator spoils too quickly, it means the refrigerator is not cooling enough to preserve it. And one of the primary reasons the refrigerator does not cool enough is age. Ensure you set the correct temperature and place a thermometer between two food containers for 24 hours.
The refrigerator should cool to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit; 37 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for a refrigerator. If the internal temperature remains higher than 40 degrees, get a service technician to check for possible refrigerant leaks or a faulty compressor. Fixing these may get the refrigerator running again, but the technician should let you know the appliance’s age, which lets you know if you should replace it.
3. The Appliance Is Noisy
Loose parts can cause a refrigerator to become noisy, and such parts include the drain pan under it. Typically, a refrigerator makes a low humming or buzzing noise, but it is too quiet to be an intrusion. The noise comes from the compressor and fan’s motor as they run to cool the refrigerator. However, loud and consistent noises may signify that the refrigerator is nearing the end of its life, although it is not always the case. This article on Whirlpool refrigerator noise will help you determine the noise coming from your refrigerator.
You can have an appliance technician troubleshoot further to find out the source of the noise. The evaporator fan can become noisy if the motor is failing; the same applies to the condenser fan. Also, the ice maker can make noise during normal operation, and the water line can build pressure and generate some noise. However, all these should not be constant, so you may have to replace the refrigerator if the noise is excessive.
4. The Refrigerator Uses Too Much Energy
Whirlpool manufactures many energy-efficient refrigerator models. Much older models may not have the same energy efficiency as newer ones, so they consume a considerable amount of energy, which is typical. If you own such a model, it may have passed its lifespan, and it is time to replace it. More likely than not, it is older than 17 years.
However, if you have a newer model, it is more likely to have energy efficiency. That means they consume less energy while performing optimally. So, if you notice that such a refrigerator consumes a lot of energy, it may be because the compressor is running too long and hot. Other faults can cause the refrigerator to lose its efficiency, but if the appliance is older than 10 years, you may want to start looking for a replacement.
5. The Freezer Is Frozen
When a refrigerator starts failing, the compressor constantly runs to help the appliance maintain a cool internal temperature. Consequently, the freezer may freeze with an accumulation of ice. This comes from the constantly running cooling system, and you may want to find out why the motor runs all the time.
The ice accumulation may also stem from refrigerant leaks, which indicates that you may need another refrigerator, especially if the current one is old. Contact the Whirlpool Service Center to report any issues and request service. Alternatively, hire a service technician for further assistance.
How to Tell How Old My Whirlpool Refrigerator Is
The best way to tell the age of your Whirlpool refrigerator is to check the purchase documents. The documents should have all the details required to determine the refrigerator’s age and other important aspects. However, if these documents are not readily available, read the refrigerator’s label for more information. The serial number is on the label, and you can determine the age from the number.
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Where Is the Manufacture Date on a Whirlpool Refrigerator?
There is no specific date of manufacture on a Whirlpool refrigerator. Finding the date of manufacture depends on decoding the serial number. The serial number on a Whirlpool refrigerator holds the year, week, and city of manufacture. You will also find the order of manufacture within the serial number.
Age of a Whirlpool Refrigerator By Serial Number
You will find the refrigerator’s serial number tag or plate inside the refrigerator, under the logo. It should be on the refrigerator’s left side when you open the door. In other words, the serial number is inside the refrigerator, on the top left side of the freezer or refrigerator door. You can consult the user manual for the specific location of the serial number tag for your refrigerator model.
Once you do, you will notice that the serial number has 9 digits, starting with an alphabet. The alphabet, which is the first digit, represents the city of manufacture, the second digit represents the manufacturing year, the third and fourth digits represent the week of manufacture, and the fifth to the ninth digits represent the order of manufacture for the week.
Below is a chart showing the codes and the years they represent, from the oldest models to the newest ones:
Whirlpool Refrigerators Manufactured Before 1990
| Code | Year | Code | Year |
| 0 | 1970 | 0 | 1980 |
| 1 | 1971 | 1 | 1981 |
| 2 | 1972 | 2 | 1982 |
| 3 | 1973 | 3 | 1983 |
| 4 | 1974 | 4 | 1984 |
| 5 | 1975 | 5 | 1985 |
| 6 | 1976 | 6 | 1986 |
| 7 | 1977 | 7 | 1987 |
| 8 | 1978 | 8 | 1988 |
| 9 | 1979 | 9 | 1989 |
Whirlpool Refrigerators Manufactured from 1990 and Upwards
| Code | Year | Code | Year |
| X | 1990 | S | 2005 |
| A | 1991 | T | 2006 |
| B | 1992 | U | 2007 |
| C | 1993 | V | 2008 |
| D | 1994 | X | 2009 |
| E | 1995 | 0 | 2010 |
| F | 1996 | 1 | 2011 |
| G | 1997 | 2 | 2012 |
| H | 1998 | 3 | 2013 |
| J | 1999 | 4 | 2014 |
| K | 2000 | 5 | 2015 |
| L | 2001 | 6 | 2016 |
| M | 2002 | 7 | 2017 |
| P | 2003 | 8 | 2018 |
| R | 2004 | 9 | 2019 |
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