We asked manufacturers of more than 20 brands, and most say that their appliances should last about 10 years. HVAC systems require proper and regular maintenance to operate efficiently, but even at best, most components of these systems only last 15-25 years. Ovens last on average 15 to 20 years, heat pumps 16 years and air conditioning units 10 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters last more than 20 years, while an electric or gas water heater has a life expectancy of about 10 years.
Thermostats are usually replaced before the end of their 35-year lifespan due to technological improvements. Kitchen sinks made of modified acrylic will last 50 years, while kitchen faucets will work properly for about 15 years. The average life of bathroom shower cabins is 50 years. Shower heads last a lifetime, while shower doors will last about 20 years.
Bathroom cabinets and toilets have an unlimited lifespan, but the components inside the toilet cistern require some maintenance. Hot tubs will work properly for 20 to 50 years, depending on usage. Garage door openers are expected to last 10 to 15 years and light inserts for 20 years. Both indoor and outdoor spots can last 15 years or more, however, homeowners usually paint more often.
Tennis courts can last a lifetime if coated; most coatings last 12 to 15. The concrete deck of a swimming pool is expected to last more than 25 years, but the interior plaster and tiles have a life expectancy of about 10 to 25 years. The dishwasher, washing machine and fridge are such an integral part of your daily life that it would be almost impossible to live without them, even for a day. But are you doing your part to ensure that your most reliable appliances last as long as possible before they need to be updated? Appliances last longer when consumer follows product manufacturer's suggested use and care, says appliance specialist Anthony Starck, owner of Showcase Kitchens based in Long Island. According to Starck, many people routinely neglect the more detailed aspects of the maintenance process and, ultimately, this translates into a shorter lifespan of the appliance.
Do you want to know how long you can expect your appliances to work for you as long as you take good care of them? Read on for the average lifespan of 15 major appliances that will help you be prepared before they run out. And to learn more ways to help keep your home in perfect condition, check out these 30 helpful supplies you don't have in your home but should. You're likely to get around 13 years of use from your average dryer, according to NAHB. And buying a more expensive product doesn't always mean you'll get more out of it.
My general rule with customers when it comes to dryers? I tell them to buy the cheapest dryer they can get. A dryer is a dryer is a dryer, says DePole. The other things, the bells, the whistles, are things that are going to break too soon. And For More Home Investments To Avoid, Check Out These 25 Home Improvements That Actually Devalue Your Home.
Fortunately, replacing the water heater is not a task that you have to perform too often. According to Crisafulli Bros. The company also suggests replacing the hot water heater regardless of its age if there is a strange dye in the water, if it is giving off strong gurgling, if there is water accumulating around the unit or if there is a lack of hot water. And to learn more about pipes that keep water flowing in your home, check out these 21 ways you're damaging your home, according to your plumber.
Refrigerators usually cost a penny. Fortunately, you probably won't have to worry about buying a new one anytime soon. According to 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 refrigerator with freezer or side-by-side lasts about 13 years, while a single-door unit can last up to 20 years.
And if you are looking to replace your kitchen appliances, read in The Best Places to Save on Kitchen Appliances. Your freezer should serve you well for more than a decade, say NAHB professionals. Just be sure to clean the condenser coils regularly if the manual requires it. And for more cleaning and maintenance tips, check out these 27 ways to clean your house like a professional housekeeper.
It may be one of your least expensive appliances, but that doesn't mean that your microwave necessarily has a short lifespan. NAHB says most microwaves will continue to work for the better part of a decade. And to learn more about proper kitchen use, avoid the 17 things you're doing in the kitchen that aren't safe. Through a reliability survey, Consumer Reports found that most vacuums last a median of eight years.
However, you may be able to extend their useful life by cleaning the filters frequently and replacing their belts when necessary. And for more tips on how to keep your vacuum running for a decade, avoid these 17 ways you're vacuuming badly. While most experts point out that thermostats do not technically have a set lifespan, NAHB says that they can generally be used safely up to 35 years. This means that you will most likely go through life without having to replace one, although improvements in technology, such as the advent of smart thermostats, may make you feel like upgrading sooner.
Be prepared to replace the boiler in your basement before it breaks so you don't lose heat, but it won't be until a decade or two after you buy it. According to Weil-Mclain, an Indiana-based heating system manufacturer, residential boilers tend to need to be replaced every 12 years, while cast iron boilers can last 20 or even 30 years. You can keep scraping those dishes in your sink garbage disposal for a good decade. However, after eight to 15 years, you may notice that the blades wear out or the engine burns out, according to John Wayne Service Company, which serves San Antonio, Texas.
At that time, it's time for a replacement. A frequently used air conditioning unit will last, on average, only 10-15 years. One that is used less frequently, on the other hand, may be valid for 20 or even 25 years, note the professionals at AC Designs, Inc. Depending on the type you have, you can take a decade or two of use out of your oven, according to NAHB.
Electric hot air ovens typically retain their functionality for 15 years; hot air gas ovens typically last 18 years; and oil hot air ovens have a typical lifespan of 20 years. And to learn about all the things you do in your home that prevent your appliances from working at the highest level, check out 55 ways you're ruining your house and you don't even know it. The hob, stove and oven extractor hoods are fairly simple appliances that can be expected to last 14 years or more with regular maintenance. The average dishwasher lasts about nine years, but you can do it 10-13 years with proper maintenance.
In this case, “proper maintenance” means running the dishwasher regularly and cleaning the components properly. When dishwashers break, it is often due to a worn seal or gasket, causing more internal problems. Regular operation helps keep these rubber parts happier. Dishwashers, in particular, have little ratio between price and durability.
Sometimes, the more electronic components and components you add, the more things can break down. For the most durable dishwasher, look for those with high-quality parts that resist rust and wear on pump components and piping, where performance matters more than style. Microwaves will last 9-10 years for most cookers. While a microwave is a fairly complex appliance, there's not much you can do to make it last longer than keeping it clean and being kind to the door.
The Full Home Warranty team also recommends some other precautionary measures, such as covering food to prevent messy sauce explosions and making sure you keep the outside clean as well. Furnaces also have a service life that depends largely on their type; in this example, the fuel source. In particular, a gas oven will normally operate at full capacity, about three years or more than an electric oven (and it will not use as much energy either). As with kiln stoves, this happens because gas is usually a more effective and efficient heating fuel that does not consist of as many fragile parts.
If your appliance is broken and out of warranty, you may also want to consider whether it is cheaper to replace it than repair it. We have estimated the service life for when it is cheaper to replace it according to the advice of manufacturers. Todd DePole, owner of Todd's appliance repair in New York, says a top-loading washing machine could easily last two decades. Whatever the reason, we've broken down several major categories of appliances to give you a better view of how long you can expect your appliances to last.
Understanding how long appliances should last helps you maintain them for their proper lifespan without unnecessary repairs to machines that legitimately need to be replaced. With the rising costs of mainstream appliances and increased attention to the environment, it makes sense to maintain and preserve your main appliances for as long as possible. . .
