Carrier Heat Pump age help please

[Michael R. Boyett]

OK, I'm usually successful in deciphering condensing unit ages but this one defies me. It's a Carrier model #38OF036300 (not sure if the 1st O is a letter or a numeral & it might have even been a Q) with a serial number of U23075. The Buyer seemed to think it was a relatively new system based on disclosure statement comments but I disagree. Any idea (Prestons or otherwise) as to the mfg date of this apparent 3-ton unit?

[William Warner]

Hey Mike,
The closest model in carrier I found was 38QF03630 which was mfg in 83-84

[Michael R. Boyett]

Perfect, Thanks Bill! It was a "Q" after all then. The home was built in 1983 and remodeled in 2004 and wording in the seller's disclosure had led the Buyer to think the A/C had been replaced at that time. Clearly, that was not the case and this unit appears to be 26 years old and original to the home. I assume your info came from Preston's, right?

[William Warner]

Yes it did.
And sounds fitting for the age of home then doesn't it!

[Michael R. Boyett]

Yes, it does fit the age of the home. I'm surprised no one has questioned the presence of 3 low pressure lines and one high pressure in the photo. Had me scratching my head until I found an abandoned heat recovery system that had supplemented an older water heater before the remodel.

[William Warner]

I didn't look closely or notice that, but now that you mention it... intersting!
That would have made me scratch my head as well.

[wsiegel]

Probably manufactured in 1982.

Has that unit moved. It does not look like it is sitting entirely on the pad. Here we have to strap them down.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by mboyett

OK, I'm usually successful in deciphering condensing unit ages but this one defies me. It's a Carrier model #38OF036300 (not sure if the 1st O is a letter or a numeral & it might have even been a Q) with a serial number of U23075. The Buyer seemed to think it was a relatively new system based on disclosure statement comments but I disagree. Any idea (Prestons or otherwise) as to the mfg date of this apparent 3-ton unit?

Attachment 30766

Serial number indicates a manufacture date of July 1982.