Oct 24th 2026
Suburban Water Heater Model Number Guide: What SW6DE, DEL and DEM Mean (and Where to Find It)
PARTS GUIDE · MODEL NUMBERS
Suburban Water Heater Model Number Guide: What SW6DE, DEL and DEM Mean (and Where to Find It)
Your model number decides which board, element, valve and door fit. Here’s where to find it on a Suburban, and what every letter means.
The short version
- Open the outside door: the silver data plate is on the right side of the metal control housing. Model on the top line, 9-digit serial on the bottom.
- SW = Suburban water heater; the number = gallons; D = direct spark; E = electric element; L = inside electric switch (12V relay); M = Motor Aid; P = pilot.
- The serial number tells you the build date: first two digits = week, next two = year.
- Suburban is an Airxcel brand (part of THOR Industries), not Dometic.
What each letter means
| Code | Meaning (from Suburban’s service manual) |
|---|---|
| SW | Suburban water heater (tank) |
| 4 / 6 / 10 / 12 / 16 | Tank size in gallons |
| P | Pilot, gas only |
| PR | Pilot with a 12V pilot re-igniter |
| PE | Pilot plus 120V heating element |
| PER | Pilot, re-igniter and 120V element |
| D | 12V direct spark ignition (DSI), gas only |
| DE | DSI plus 1440 W, 120V element |
| DEL | DE plus a 12V relay so electric is switched from inside |
| DEM | DE plus Motor Aid (heats the tank from engine coolant; motorhomes) |
| V / VE | 120V-powered DSI (VE adds the element); SW16 only |
| DEC / DELC | Listed with cord-set assemblies in Suburban’s parts manual; the “C” isn’t formally defined |
| SAW | Advantage Direct-Fit 6 gallon, sized to replace Atwood/Dometic 6-gallon heaters |
| IW60 / IW60RL | Nautilus tankless / recirculating version |
| ST-42 / ST-60 | Newer on-demand tankless (42,000 / 60,000 BTU/h) |
Letters we can’t confirm
We haven’t found a Suburban document defining a “B” suffix (as in SW12DEB) or the “C” in DEC/DELC. If your plate has letters not listed here, send us a photo and we’ll check.
Reading the serial number
Suburban serials are nine digits. Example from Suburban’s manual: 07 25 03340 = week 07 of 2025, unit 03340 that week. Parts often change by serial (for example, Suburban lists the 161306 gas valve for later serials), so keep it handy.
Why the model matters for parts
| Part | Depends on |
|---|---|
| Ignition board | 520814 for SW D/DE/DEL/DEM/DEC/DELC; 521166 for SAW6; 520993 for SW16V/VE |
| Thermostat/hi-limit | 12V (gas) vs 120V (electric) versions |
| Element | Only on E models; Suburban lists 520900 for later serials |
| Gas valve | Changes by serial (161109/525042 earlier, 161306 later) |
| Door | Tank size and SW vs SAW |
| Anode | Same family (233514 / 233516) across SW tanks |
Tankless: where the plate is
On the IW60, the model and serial are on the left front edge of the cabinet; the serial is nine digits ending in Z.
Parts for this repair
Suburban 520814 Ignition Control Board (SW series)View part →
Suburban 521166 Control Board (SAW6D / SAW6DE / SAW6DEL)View part →
Suburban 520900 AC Heating Element (SW models)View part →
Suburban 161306 Gas Valve (newer SW models)View part →
Suburban 233514 Magnesium Anode Rod (SW series)View part →
Suburban 525007 12VDC Thermostat / Hi-Limit (SW series)View part →Shop by category: Suburban part finder, Suburban parts.
FAQ
Where is the model number on a Suburban water heater?
Behind the outside door, on a silver data plate on the right side of the metal control housing.
What does DEL mean on a Suburban water heater?
DSI gas plus a 120V element, with a 12V relay so you can turn the electric on from inside.
What is the difference between SW6DE and SW6DEL?
Both are 6-gallon gas/electric. The DEL adds a 12V relay so the electric side is switched from an inside panel; the DE has its electric switch outside.
Who makes Suburban water heaters?
Suburban is an Airxcel brand. Airxcel has been part of THOR Industries since 2021.
Not sure which part fits? Contact us with your model and serial number from the data plate and we’ll confirm it before you order.
From Suburban (Airxcel) service and training, installation and operating manuals and the current Suburban RV parts manual. Plate locations from suburbanrv.com.