According to Starck, many people routinely neglect the more detailed aspects of the maintenance process, and this ultimately results in a shorter appliance lifespan. Want to how long you can expect your home appliances to work for you as long as you’re taking good care of them? Read on for the average lifespan of 15 major home appliances that’ll help you be prepared before they give out. And for more ways to help keep your home in tip-top shape, check out these 30 Helpful Supplies You Don’t Have in Your Home But Should.
According to 2007 data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), you can expect to get a decade of use out of your typical washing machine. However, your machine’s longevity also depends on the type you choose. Todd DePole, owner of Todd’s Appliance Repair in New York, says a top-loading washer could easily last two decades. And for more help with your cleaning supplies elsewhere in your home, here’s How Often You Should Replace Your Cleaning Essentials.
You’re likely to get about 13 years of use out of your average dryer, per NAHB. And buying a pricier product doesn’t always mean you’ll get more use out of it. “My rule of thumb with customers when it comes to dryers? I tell them to buy the cheapest dryer they can get ahold of. A dryer is a dryer is a dryer,” DePole says. “The other stuff—the bells, the whistles—are just things that are going to break too soon.” And for more home investments to stay away from, check out these 25 Home “Upgrades” That Actually Devalue Your Home.
Luckily, replacing your water heater isn’t a task you have to undertake too often. According to Crisafulli Bros., a plumbing and heating company in upstate New York, most residential hot water heaters last between six and 13 years, though keeping a heater for longer than 12 years is usually pushing your luck. The company also suggests replacing your hot water heater regardless of its age if there’s a strange tint to your water, if it’s making loud gurgling sounds, if there’s water pooling around the unit, or if there’s a lack of hot water. And for more on those pipes that keep water flowing in your home, check out these 21 Ways You’re Damaging Your Home, According to Your Plumber.
Fridges typically cost a pretty penny. Thankfully, you probably won’t have to worry about buying a new one anytime soon. According to the appliance authorities at AJ Madison in Brooklyn, New York, the average lifespan of a refrigerator is 10 to 20 years. That number varies by type, but the average freezer-top or side-by-side refrigerator lasts approximately 13 years, while a single door unit can last up to 20 years. And if you’re looking to replace your kitchen appliances, read up on The Best Places to Score Savings on Kitchen Appliances.
Your freezer should serve you well for over a decade, according to the pros at NAHB. Just make sure that you clean its condenser coils regularly if the manual calls for it. And for more cleaning and maintenance tips, check out these 27 Ways to Clean Your House Like a Pro Housekeeper.
Good news: “Of the major appliances in a home, gas ranges have the longest life expectancy: 15 years,” according to NAHB. The typical electric range isn’t too far behind, generally lasting about 13 years.
It may be one of your less expensive appliances, but that doesn’t mean your microwave will necessarily have a short lifespan. NAHB says that most microwaves will continue working for the better part of a decade. And for more on using your kitchen properly, avoid the 17 Things Your’e Doing in the Kitchen That Are Unsafe.
You can expect your average dishwasher to keep those plates and silverware clean for approximately nine-and-a-half years, according to home product review site Prudent Reviews. Just make sure you’re cleaning its filters and seals on a regular basis. Want more tips on how to use your dishwasher most effectively? Nix these 17 Ways You’re Loading Your Dishwasher Like a Total Amateur.
Through a reliability survey, Consumer Reports found that most vacuums last a median of eight years. However, you may be able to prolong their lifetime by cleaning their filters frequently and replacing their belts when needed. And for more advice on keeping your vacuum running for a decade, avoid these 17 Ways You’re Vacuuming All Wrong.
Daily use certainly takes its toll on your toaster. So if you’re browning up some bread every morning for breakfast, be prepared for your countertop cooker to only last about five years on average, per a 2011 Energy Star report.
While most experts note that thermostats don’t technically have a set lifespan, NAHB says they generally can be used safely for up to 35 years. This means that you’ll most likely go through life without ever having to replace one, though improvements in technology—like the advent of smart thermostats—might have you eager to upgrade sooner.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
You should be prepared to replace that boiler in your basement before it breaks so you don’t lose heat—but that won’t be for a decade or two after you buy it. According to Weil-Mclain, a heating system manufacturer based in Indiana, residential boilers tend to need to be replaced around every 12 years, while cast iron boilers can regularly last 20 or even 30 years.
You can pretty much keep scraping those plates right into the garbage disposal in your sink for a good decade. However, after anywhere from eight to 15 years, you may notice the blades wearing down or the motor burning out, according to John Wayne Service Company, which serves San Antonio, Texas. At that point, it’s time for a replacement.
An air conditioning unit that is used frequently will, on average, last only around 10 to 15 years. One that is used less frequently, on the other hand, may be good for 20 or even 25 years, note the pros at AC Designs, Inc., an air conditioning and heating services company in Jacksonville, Florida.
Depending on what kind you have, you can get a decade or two of use out of your furnace, according to NAHB. Electric warm air furnaces typically retain functionality for 15 years; gas warm air furnaces tend to last for 18 years; and oil warm air furnaces have a typical lifespan of 20 years. And for all the things you’re doing in your home that are preventing your appliances from operating at top levels, check out 55 Ways You’re Ruining Your Home and Don’t Even Know It. To discover more amazing secrets about living your best life, click here to follow us on Instagram!
