And When To Upgrade Your AED

When organizations purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), one of the most common questions we receive is:

"How old is my AED, and when should I replace it?"

Knowing your AED's manufacturer date is an important part of maintaining a reliable cardiac emergency response program. While many AEDs can remain operational for years with proper maintenance, every device has a recommended service life, and eventually replacement becomes the safest and most cost-effective option.

In this guide, we'll explain how to determine the age of your AED, what the manufacturer's warranty means, and when we recommend upgrading to a newer model.

Why the Manufacturer Date Matters

Unlike batteries and pads, the AED itself does not have an official expiration date.

However, every manufacturer designs its AED with an expected service life and provides a warranty against manufacturing defects for a specific number of years. Once that warranty expires:

Replacement parts may become difficult or impossible to obtain.
Manufacturers may discontinue technical support.
Software updates often end.
Repairs may no longer be economical.
Reliability becomes increasingly difficult to guarantee.

Because an AED is a life-saving medical device, organizations should consider whether they are comfortable relying on equipment that is well beyond its supported life.

How to Find the Manufacturer Date

Most AEDs include the manufacturing date on one of the following:

The label on the back or underside of the AED
The serial number label
The original shipping carton
The original purchase paperwork
The manufacturer's registration records

Some manufacturers encode the manufacturing date within the serial number, while others print the date directly on the device. i.e. X16F- The manufacturer date was 2016.

If you cannot determine the manufacturing date, AED.ca can often identify it using the device's serial number.

Manufacturer Date vs. Purchase Date

These are not always the same.

For example:

AED manufactured: January 2020
Purchased: October 2021

The manufacturer's warranty generally begins when the device ships from the manufacturer or authorized distribution channel, depending on the manufacturer's warranty terms, not necessarily when the end user purchases it. Always verify the applicable warranty documentation for your specific device.

Typical AED Warranty Periods

The warranty varies by manufacturer and model. Typical warranty periods include:

Manufacturer	Typical Warranty*
ZOLL AED Plus	7 years (5 years standard + 2 years with registration)
ZOLL AED 3	8 years (6 years standard + 2 years with registration)
Stryker LIFEPAK CR2	8 years
Philips HeartStart OnSite	8 years
Philips HeartStart FRx	8 years
HeartSine Samaritan PAD	8–10 years (model dependent)
Defibtech Lifeline	8 years
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5	Up to 8 years (registration dependent)

*Always verify the warranty applicable to your specific model and registration status, as warranty terms may vary by country, purchase date, and manufacturer program.

Should You Replace an AED After the Warranty Ends?

At AED.ca, our recommendation is yes.

Although many AEDs continue to function beyond their warranty period, the warranty marks the end of the period during which the manufacturer stands behind the device for defects. As AEDs age, the risk of unavailable replacement parts, discontinued accessories, obsolete technology, and unsupported repairs generally increases.

For organizations responsible for protecting employees, customers, students, patients, or visitors, replacing an AED after the warranty period is a proactive way to reduce risk and improve long-term reliability.

Other Signs It's Time to Upgrade

Even if your AED is still operating, consider replacement if:

The manufacturer has discontinued the model.
Replacement pads or batteries are becoming difficult to source.
The AED has been recalled.
The device has experienced multiple service issues.
Your organization wants newer technology such as:
- Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity
- CPR feedback
- Bilingual operation
- Pediatric capability without separate pads or adapters (model dependent)
- Improved self-testing and readiness monitoring

Recommended AED Upgrades

If your AED is nearing or past the end of its warranty period, we recommend upgrading to one of these current-generation models:

ZOLL AED 3

https://aed.ca/products/zoll-aed-3

Ideal for:

Workplaces
Schools
Recreation facilities
Industrial environments

Features include:

Real CPR Help®
Universal adult/child electrodes
Long-life consumables
Wi-Fi connectivity (optional)

Stryker LIFEPAK CR2

https://aed.ca/products/stryker-physio-cr2-semi-auto-bilingual-wifi

Ideal for:

Offices
Municipal buildings
Churches
Public-access locations

Features include:

Fully bilingual (English/French)
Child mode with the push of a button
Wi-Fi connectivity
Continuous CPR guidance

Don't Forget Ongoing Maintenance

Purchasing a new AED is only part of maintaining a reliable emergency response program.

Every AED requires:

Routine visual inspections
Documentation
Battery monitoring
Pad replacement before expiry
Firmware updates (where applicable)
Compliance records

AED.ca's Full-Service AED Maintenance Plan simplifies this process by providing:

Annual on-site inspections and certification
Automatic replacement of expired pads and batteries
Digital inspection records
Audit-ready compliance documentation
Scan-enabled AED identification tags
Loaner AEDs during covered repairs
Priority customer support
Proactive maintenance reminders

Learn more about our maintenance program:

https://aed.ca/pages/aed-maintenance-plan

Need Help Determining the Age of Your AED?

If you're unsure how old your AED is, AED.ca can help.

Simply provide us with:

the manufacturer,
the model, and
the serial number,

and our team can often determine the manufacturing date, estimate the remaining warranty coverage, and recommend whether your device should continue in service or be replaced.

A few minutes today can help ensure your AED is ready when someone needs it most.

About AED.ca

AED.ca is one of Canada's leading suppliers of Automated External Defibrillators, helping organizations create safer workplaces and communities through expert guidance, premium AEDs, inspections, maintenance, and ongoing support. We proudly serve businesses, schools, municipalities, healthcare providers, industrial facilities, and non-profit organizations across Canada.

Martin Andrews, President of AED.ca, has helped many Canadian organizations implement effective AED programs. His focus is simple: ensure every customer has the right device, a compliant maintenance program, and the confidence that their AED will be rescue-ready when every second counts.