How to Find Your AC Model Number: Where to Look on Every Type of Air Conditioner

Your AC model number is printed on a nameplate (also called a rating plate) attached to the unit itself, and most split systems have two of them: one on the outdoor unit and one on the indoor unit.

Read the line marked Model, Model No. or M/N, not the serial line, and photograph the whole plate before you do anything else.

AC model number: the manufacturer’s code for your air conditioner’s exact configuration, printed on the unit’s nameplate. It identifies the product (family, capacity, and revision). The serial number identifies your individual unit.

Switch off power at the breaker or disconnect before removing any access panel, and leave alone any panel you do not need to open.

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Quick Answer: How to Check Your AC Model Number in 3 Steps

Look for the metal plate or sticker on the side, back, or bottom of the unit, read the line marked Model, and photograph the full plate.

That takes under five minutes on most systems, and the same three steps work whether the unit is a central system, a wall-mounted split, a window unit, or a portable.

How Do I Check My AC Model Number?

1. Find the nameplate on the cabinet. Check the side panels first, then the back and bottom, and switch off the power before opening any panel.
2. Read the line labeled Model, Model No. or M/N. Ignore the serial line (S/N) for now, and copy the characters exactly, including dashes and suffix letters.
3. Photograph the entire plate, not only the model line, so the serial number, electrical ratings, and refrigerant type are captured in the same shot.

How Do I Know What Model My Air Conditioner Is?

Start by identifying the type of system, because the type tells you where the label is. Match what you see to the table, then read the matching type section below.

What you see	AC type	Where to look next
Outdoor box with a fan on top, plus a furnace or air handler indoors	Central split system	Outdoor cabinet and the indoor furnace or air handler
Wall-mounted indoor unit connected to an outdoor unit	Ductless mini-split or split AC	Indoor unit cabinet and outdoor unit panel
Single box in a window or wall sleeve	Window or wall AC	Side, back or bottom of the cabinet
Floor-standing unit with an exhaust hose	Portable AC	Side or bottom of the cabinet

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What an AC Model Number Is and Why It Matters

An AC model number is a manufacturer code that tells a parts seller, technician, or warranty department exactly which product you own.

Without it, a replacement capacitor, filter, or control board is a guess, and a guess on electrical parts is expensive.

AC Model Number vs Serial Number

The two numbers sit on the same plate but answer different questions.

Features	Model number	Serial number
What it identifies	The product design and configuration	Your individual unit
What it tells you	Family, capacity, efficiency tier, revision	Manufacture date and plant, in most brands
When you need it	Ordering parts, finding manuals, quoting a replacement	Warranty claims, age checks, service history
Where you find it	Line marked Model or M/N	Line marked Serial or S/N, usually directly beside it

Why You Need Your AC Model Number

• Parts sellers match capacitors, contactors, motors, and control boards to the model, so the wrong number means the wrong part.
• Technicians use the model to look up wiring diagrams, refrigerant type, and service procedures before they arrive.
• Warranty departments pair the model with the serial number to confirm coverage, and some require registration under the same pair.
• Rebate programs and replacement quotes depend on knowing exactly what is installed today.
• Filters and accessories are often sized by model, so a quick photo of the plate saves a measuring trip.

If a part fails inside the coverage period, read how to check and claim your AC warranty.

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Where to Find Your AC Model Number by Type of Air Conditioner

The model number is on a rating plate, and its location depends on the type of AC unit: the outdoor cabinet for central systems, the indoor and outdoor cabinets for wall-mounted splits, and the side, back, or bottom of the cabinet for window and portable units.

Most technicians skip the detail that a split system has at least two labeled units, each with its own serial number and often its own model number.

Type of AC	Labels you will find	Check first
Central split	Outdoor unit plus indoor furnace, air handler, or coil	Outdoor cabinet panel, then the indoor unit
Ductless mini-split / split AC	Indoor unit plus outdoor unit	Side or bottom of the indoor cabinet, then the outdoor unit
Window or wall AC	One	Cabinet side, back or bottom
Portable AC	One	Cabinet side or bottom

Central Air Conditioner and HVAC Outdoor Unit

1. Switch off power at the disconnect and the breaker.
2. Walk around the outdoor cabinet and look for a metal or adhesive rating plate. It is commonly attached near the refrigerant-line connections or the electrical service panel.
3. Read the Model line, then the separate Serial line.
4. Check whether the plate says air conditioner or heat pump, because replacement parts and ordering paths differ.
5. Photograph the full plate, then repeat on the indoor unit.

Indoor Unit: Furnace, Air Handler or Evaporator Coil

1. Switch off power to the furnace or air handler.
2. Look on the cabinet exterior first. On many furnaces, the rating plate sits inside the blower door or burner compartment, and Goodman places the plate on the inner wall of the furnace or air handler.
3. Find the coil’s own label if the coil is separate from the furnace, since it carries its own model number.
4. Record the indoor number separately from the outdoor number, and label each photo.

Ductless Mini-Split and Split AC (Indoor and Outdoor Units)

1. Find the nameplate on the side or bottom of the indoor unit.
2. Walk to the outdoor unit and find its nameplate, typically on a side panel, near the pipe connections or near the control box.
3. Photograph both plates.
4. Compare the two model numbers before assuming they match.

Nameplate position varies by model on both units. Whether the two model numbers match depends on the brand, so record both:

Unit	Typical position	What to record
Indoor	Side or bottom of the cabinet	Model, serial, electrical ratings
Outdoor	Side panel, near pipe connections or near the control box	Model, serial, refrigerant type

Window and Portable Air Conditioners

1. Unplug the unit before moving it.
2. Check the side panel, then the back, then the bottom of the cabinet for the rating sticker.
3. If a window unit is installed, look at the exposed side or slide the chassis out only if the manual describes that procedure.
4. Compare the sticker with the owner’s manual or the original box, which both carry the model number.

No Remote? Where to Look Instead

• The remote control does not show the air conditioner’s model number, and the remote’s own model name is a different number from the unit’s.
• The unit nameplate is the reliable source, found on the side of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
• The warranty certificate that came with the unit also lists the model name.
• Do not use the remote’s model name for parts or service, because it will return the wrong results.

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Where to Find the Model and Serial Number by Brand

Label positions follow the brand, so the quickest route is the brand’s own pattern.

LG and Samsung locations below come from each brand’s support pages. Carrier HVAC details can vary by model and region, so confirm against your manual if the plate is not where described.

LG Air Conditioners: Model Number Search and Split AC Serial Number

LG’s Help Library lists one label location for each type, and the same label carries the model and serial number, including on split units.

LG unit type	Label location
Indoor unit of a split or residential AC	Bottom right side as you face the unit
Outdoor unit	Front side, below the LG logo
Portable and window units	Bottom or side of the machine

Once you have the model, enter it exactly as printed in LG’s support search to reach the manual and parts information.

Samsung Air Conditioners

1. On the indoor unit, look on the right side: near the bottom on newer units and near the corner on older ones.
2. On the outdoor unit, check the discharge pipe, the suction pipe, and the control box.
3. Read the model code and the serial number from the same sticker. Samsung describes the serial as a 15-character alphanumeric code ending in a letter.
4. Record both units. Samsung’s India support page says the model number is the same on indoor and outdoor units, but the serial numbers differ.

Positions differ by region and age of unit, so check your market’s Samsung support page if the sticker is not where listed.

Carrier Air Conditioners (and Bryant, Payne)

1. Find the metal or adhesive data plate on the outdoor unit, which lists the model and serial number together.
2. Read the model, which for central air conditioners commonly begins with 24, as in 24ACC. The serial is a mix of numbers and letters.
3. On the furnace or air handler, look for the rating plate inside the blower door or burner compartment.
4. Record the indoor and outdoor numbers separately. Bryant and Payne use the same serial format as Carrier.

Haier Air Conditioners

• Haier’s central split service manuals publish separate model-number explanations for the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, so expect two labels on a split system.
• Look for the nameplate on the cabinet of each unit and photograph both.
• Exact positions vary by model, so use the owner’s manual and Haier’s support site for your market to confirm.

Other Brands Quick Reference

Brand	Unit	Where to look
Goodman	Air conditioner, heat pump, furnace, air handler	Rating plate; on furnaces and air handlers, the inner wall of the cabinet
Heil	Furnace and outdoor units	Rating plate, normally on the outside jacket
Lennox	Most products; gas and oil furnaces	Nameplate on the exterior; on furnaces, inside the cabinet near the vestibule panel
Ameristar	Outdoor and indoor units	Top right-rear of the outdoor unit; door or side of the indoor unit
Frigidaire	Window and wall units	Side panel of the cabinet is the usual spot; confirm in the owner’s manual
TCL	Window, portable and mini-split	Cabinet sticker; use TCL’s unit-information guide for your model

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Which Number Do You Actually Need: Model, Serial or AHRI Reference?

For most jobs, you need the model and serial number of the specific unit involved, and for central systems you often need both the indoor and the outdoor unit’s numbers.

Rebates and efficiency verification add a third identifier, the AHRI Certified Reference Number, which is issued for a certified indoor and outdoor combination and is not printed on the unit.

Write both down: outdoor model and serial, indoor model and serial, and the AHRI reference if your installer has it. Illustrative example: outdoor XXXXX-036 / serial A1, indoor YYYYY-036 / serial B2.

What to Read Out for Each Common Task

Task	Numbers to give	From which unit	Example phrasing
Order a capacitor, contactor, or fan motor	Model and serial	Outdoor unit	“Outdoor condenser, model [X], serial [Y].”
Order a blower motor, control board or filter	Model and serial	Indoor furnace or air handler	“Indoor air handler, model [X], serial [Y].”
File a warranty claim	Model and serial, plus purchase date	The unit that failed	“Model [X], serial [Y], installed [date].”
Apply for a rebate	AHRI reference plus both model numbers	Both units	“AHRI reference [Z], outdoor [X], indoor [Y].”
Replace only the outdoor unit	Both model numbers	Both units	“Existing indoor coil [Y]; need an outdoor match.”
Get a replacement quote	Both models and serials, plus photos	Both units	“Here are photos of both plates.”

Carrier’s guidance for claims is to give the serial exactly as shown on the data plate and add the model number, purchase date, and service history if available.

How to Check That Your Indoor and Outdoor Units Are a Matched System

AHRI-certified ratings apply to specific indoor and outdoor combinations, so a mismatched pairing may not deliver its rated efficiency, and rebate programs commonly ask for the reference number to confirm the match.

1. Record both model numbers from the nameplates.
2. Ask your installer for the AHRI Certified Reference Number or the certificate issued for your system.
3. Search the AHRI directory by reference number or by the equipment details.
4. Confirm that both of your model numbers appear on the certified combination.
5. If either number is missing from the listing, ask the installer or manufacturer to explain the pairing before ordering parts or applying for a rebate.

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What to Do If Your AC Model Number Label Is Missing or Faded

A missing label rarely means the number is lost, because the model number is recorded in several other places: the other unit’s label, your paperwork, and your installer’s records.

Work down the ladder below from the easiest check to the hardest, since most people find it in the first three steps.

Recovery Ladder: Other Places to Find the Number

1. Check every other label on the system (about 2 minutes). The other unit, the coil, and the furnace each carry their own plate, and a furnace usually has several labels.
2. Look in the owner’s manual and installation paperwork (5 to 10 minutes), where the model is usually printed on the cover or registration page.
3. Search your installer’s invoice, permit, or purchase receipt (about 10 minutes), which normally lists the model.
4. Search your email for a warranty registration confirmation (about 5 minutes).
5. Use the brand’s online lookup with the serial number, if the serial is readable (about 5 minutes).
6. Call the original installer or a local dealer with photos of the unit (usually same day).
7. Send photos of the unit and its control board to a technician (one to two days).

Reading a Partly Faded Label

• Photograph the plate at an angle in shaded light, since glare hides faint print.
• Wipe the plate gently with a damp cloth to remove dust and grime.
• Note any readable characters and the plate’s layout, including how many characters each line holds.
• Send the partial number and photos to the brand’s support line or a dealer, who can often complete it from the pattern.

Don’t Confuse Component Numbers With the Unit Model Number

Component number: a part number stamped on the compressor, motor, capacitor, or control board.

It identifies that single part, not the whole air conditioner, so it can help a technician narrow things down but cannot replace the unit’s model number.

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How to Search and Look Up a Model or Serial Number Online

Type the full model number, exactly as printed, into the brand’s support search, and use the AHRI directory for central systems.

Both routes return manuals, specifications, and, in some cases, warranty status.

How Do I Look Up a Model Number?

1. Copy the full model exactly, including dashes and suffix letters, because a shortened number returns the wrong product.
2. Search the brand’s support site by model code. Samsung’s support pages, for example, let you find manuals by model code.
3. For central systems, search the AHRI directory to see the certified combination.
4. Confirm that the result matches the nameplate, including capacity and unit type.

Air Conditioner Serial Number Search: What You Can and Cannot Find Out

• A serial number gives you the manufacture date and plant in most brands, which the manufacture date table below explains.
• Brand warranty lookup pages generally take the model and serial together, so have both ready.
• A serial number does not give you specifications such as capacity, so use the model for that.
• If the serial is unreadable, use the model number and installation date instead.

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How to Read What Your AC Model Number and Serial Number Tell You

Your model number encodes the product family and capacity, and your serial number encodes when the unit was built.

The coding differs by brand and changes over time, so treat these examples as patterns and verify against the manufacturer’s literature.

What the Letters and Digits in an AC Model Number Mean

Segment	What it usually tells you	Example from published guides
Product-line prefix	The product family	Carrier 24A, 24S and 24V identify central air conditioners
Air conditioner or heat pump	Cooling-only or reversible	Check the rating plate wording before ordering
Capacity digits	Nominal size in thousands of BTU per hour	36 in 4TTV8X36A1000A means 3 tons
Generation or refrigerant family	Product era	Goodman GSXN is an R-410A family, GLXS3B is R-32; Trane 5TTR is R-454B
Suffix	Factory revision	Letters and digits at the end

The model number can hint at the refrigerant, but we advise confirming the refrigerant on the outdoor unit’s rating plate.

To read the electrical and efficiency figures printed beside the model number, see how to read the ratings on your AC nameplate.

Finding Tonnage in the Model Number

1. Use the outdoor unit’s model number, not the serial number.
2. Find the two-digit capacity number, such as 36 in 4TTV8X36A7000A.
3. Divide it by 12 to get tons, because one ton equals 12,000 BTU per hour: 36 divided by 12 is 3 tons.
4. Confirm the result on the manufacturer’s spec sheet, since capacity coding varies by brand.

Once you know the tonnage, check the AC breaker size by tonnage before ordering any electrical part.

AC Model Number List: Real Examples by Brand

Brand	Example	What to read in it
Trane	4TTV8X36A7000A	36 is the capacity code: 3 tons
Trane	4TTR and 5TTR	4TTR is an older family; 5TTR is a newer R-454B family
Goodman	GSXN and GLXS3B	R-410A family and a newer R-32 family
Carrier	24ACC	The 24 prefix marks a residential central air conditioner
Samsung	AR10CYEAAWKNTC	A WindFree wall-mount model code; use the full code in Samsung’s manual search

This is a set of real examples, not a catalog of every model. For any other model, enter your full number in the brand’s own model search.

Estimating Manufacture Date From the Serial Number

Brand	Where the date sits	Worked example
Heil	First two digits are the year, third and fourth are the week	0041 reads as week 41 of 2000
Carrier	First four digits give week and year, per HVACBase	1018F12345 reads as week 10 of 2018

Serial formats change over time, and older Carrier units use different layouts, so confirm the format with the brand for older equipment.

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How to Save Your AC Model Number So You Never Have to Hunt Again

For a head start before the next season, add your model and serial numbers to your seasonal AC maintenance checklist.

Saving both photos and typed numbers takes about five minutes and makes every future parts order, warranty claim, and service call faster.

Photo Checklist for the Label

1. Photograph the full plate straight on, then once more at an angle to avoid glare.
2. Include the whole plate so model, serial, ratings, and refrigerant type all show.
3. Add a wider shot showing which unit the plate belongs to, labeled indoor or outdoor.
4. Zoom in on the model and serial lines for a clear close-up.
5. Type the characters into a note, because photos can be unreadable later.

Where to Store the Details

• Keep the photos in a dedicated phone album named for the system.
• Save the typed numbers in a notes app, along with the installation date and installer contact.
• Add the numbers to your home maintenance folder or file.
• Place a sticker with the model and serial inside the furnace closet or on the manual.

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Stuck on Your AC Model Number? Get Help Identifying It

Once you have the model number, serial number, and both unit labels recorded, you are ready to order a part, file a warranty claim, or book a service visit.

If the label is unreadable, the numbers do not match, or you cannot tell which unit’s number a seller needs, send us photos of whatever you can read, and we will help identify the unit.

Send us a photo of your AC label for identification.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Your AC Model Number