Carrier Serial Number Lookup
Find out exactly how old your Carrier furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump is — and what size it is — in about 30 seconds. Then see what it costs to replace it factory-direct.
Decode your Carrier in seconds
Carrier is one of the oldest names in HVAC (Willis Carrier invented modern air conditioning in 1902). Carrier, Bryant, and Payne are built by the same company and share serial-number date coding.
Carrier serial number formats by era
HVAC makers change their date codes over the years. Match the start of your serial to the right row.
| Era | How the date is coded | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–Present | WWYY… — first two digits = week, next two = year | 3216E54321 → week 32, 2016 |
| 2010s legacy | 3rd character year letter on some tags (A=1991/2011) | — |
| 1969–1979 | Letter (month A–L) + digit (year) | A167890 → 1976 |
Where to find the serial & model number
A metal or foil label on the side of the outdoor condenser or inside the furnace cabinet door.
Use the format table above to turn it into a manufacture date.
The model number tells you the size — see the tonnage guide below.
Over ~12–15 years old? Replacing usually beats repairing. We can price it.
Reading the Carrier model number (size)
Almost every HVAC brand hides the tonnage in the model number as a 2–3 digit BTU code. 24ACC636A003 → 24A product line · 6 = 16 SEER · 36 = 3-ton · A revision
| Model code | Size | Cooling capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 018 | 1.5 ton | 18,000 BTU |
| 024 | 2 ton | 24,000 BTU |
| 030 | 2.5 ton | 30,000 BTU |
| 036 | 3 ton | 36,000 BTU |
| 042 | 3.5 ton | 42,000 BTU |
| 048 | 4 ton | 48,000 BTU |
| 060 | 5 ton | 60,000 BTU |
1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr. Gas furnaces instead show input BTUs (e.g. 060 = 60,000 BTU input).
Frequently asked questions
How old is too old for a Carrier unit?
Can I just replace the Carrier unit myself and save?
My serial number doesn't match any format above.
Does the model number tell me efficiency too?
Time to replace your Carrier? Skip the markup.
Get the same equipment factory-direct and save 40–60% versus a contractor quote. No salesperson — just a price.
Call (888) 762-1334