Lum & Abner® HVAC age

How to determine the date of production/manufacture or age of Lum & Abner® HVAC Systems.

The date of production/manufacture or age of Lum & Abner® HVAC equipment can be determined from the serial number located on the data plate.

Parent Company:  Lum & Abner was a registered trademark brand of Norris-Goff Mfg. - Pine Ridge, Arkansas

Note: Lum & Abner is a defunct brand no longer in production. Limited production from 1931 - 1954

Example serial number styles/formats found:

  • Style 1:    Serial No. J867-5309F

Style 1:    J867-5309F

The year of manufacture is coded in the 2nd digit of the serial number.

Note: MUST USE the model type (first letter of serial number) to estimate decade of production.

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The First letter(s) of the serial number indicates model type and will assist in determining the decade of manufacture determined by the years of production for the various limited models.

  • J = Jenny model manufactured from 1931-1939
  • JD = Jot'em Downflow model manufactured from 1951-1954
  • H = Hot Spring model manufactured from 1940-1949
  • P = Peabody model manufactured from 1931-1954 (longest and most popular production model)
  • E = Edwards model manufactured from 1935-1938
  • L = Low N Ranger model manufactured from 1948-1954

Brand History:

Lum & Abner brand existed from 1931 to 1954

  • 1931 - Brand started by Norris-Goff Mfg. in Waters, Arkansas. Produced Jenny and Peabody model heating systems.
  • 1934 - Models began being sold by distributor in Chicago, Illinois
  • 1935 - Introduced Edwards model heating system. Models were added by distribution company WLW in Cincinnati, OH.
  • 1936 - Production facility moved to Pine Ridge, Arkansas
  • 1940 - Introduced Hot Spring line heaters
  • 1948 - Introduced Low N Ranger line of radiant air heaters
  • 1951 - Introduced innovative Jot'em Downflow warm air model
  • 1954 - Company ceased traditional warm and radiant air systems production, though stockpiles were sold well into the 1960's.
Page last updated: 08/04/2023