The RADCO logo appears prominently on the data plate of some older HVAC units. We have noticed them only on systems manufactured by Carrier/Bryant/Payne. But RADCO is actually a product testing and certification lab, like UL and ARI. If the manufacturer’s brand medallion is missing on the equipment, the large RADCO emblem on the data plate is sometimes mistaken for the name of the manufacturer. 

    The Carrier family of brands uses the second two numbers of the serial number for the year of manufacture, and the one shown below indicates the unit was manufactured in 2001. We are not sure if RADCO logo was also printed on other manufacturer’s data plates, so can’t verify that it will always be a Carrier product. By the way, RADCO is an acronym for Resources, Applications, Designs and Controls, Inc., and they have had a different, updated logo since 2012. 

    For the age of another brand or manufacturer, go to our blog post How do I determine the age of my air conditioner?

    To determine other key specs of your HVAC system, see one of these other blog posts: 

• How can I find out the SEER of my air conditioner?

• How can I tell whether the condenser (outdoor unit) is an air conditioner or heat pump? 

• How can I find out the size of my air conditioner? 

    To find the age of other home components, go to How can I find out the age of a roof? and How do I determine the age of an electrical panel? and How do I determine the age of my water heater? For life expectancies, visit What is the average life expectancy of the components of a house? 

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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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  To learn more about heating and air conditioning systems, see these other blog posts: 

• My air conditioner won't turn on. What's wrong?  

• Where is the air filter for my central air conditioner and furnace? I can’t find it? 

• How did homes stay cool in Florida before air conditioning? 

• What is wrong with an air conditioner when the air flow out of the vents is low?

• Why has the thermostat screen gone blank? 

• Why does it take so long to cool a house when an air conditioner has been off for a while? 

• Why is my air conditioner not cooling enough? 

• What are the most common problems with wall/window air conditioners?  

• Will closing doors reduce my heating and cooling costs? 

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