Older data plates are stamped metal and newer ones are a printed sticker, but they use the same serial number format. Look for the dash at the end of the first series of letter/number digits. It will be followed by a single letter and two numbers. The two numbers are the year of manufacture, and the letter is the month in an A = January, B = February, and so forth, format.

    Here’s an older stamped metal one above. It’s hard to read from the photo, but the serial number is CPA B33225 - C98. So it was manufactured in March of 1998. And the newer one below is January 2014.

    And here’s a more recent one with “I17,” which would be September of 2017. You have to look carefully to tell that it’s an “I” and not a “1."

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Field Guide for Home Inspectors, a quick reference for finding the age of 154 brands of HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels, plus 210 code standards for site-built and manufactured homes, and the life expectancy rating of 195 home components. Available at amazon.com for $19.95.
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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about POOL AND SPA:

• Does an above-ground pool require a building permit? 

• Can a pool with green, cloudy water be inspected?

• Should I refinish-resurface my pool with paint or plaster?

• Why are pool pumps now required to be variable speed? 

• What are the clearance requirements for an overhead electric service drop that is directly over or near a swimming pool?

    Visit our POOL AND SPA page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.