Average Life Expectancy Of Household Appliances

Have you ever wondered how long appliances last before you need to repair them or buy a new one? In this short article, Jacob Dillard (Appliance Repair Expert engineer) will tell you about the lifespan of various appliances. This will give you an idea of when it is worth repairing an appliance and when it is time to replace it.

What is the average lifespan of different appliances?

Appliances don’t last forever. In fact, even the most expensive on the market need to be replaced sooner or later. On average, most appliances last 10 to 15 years. In some cases, they can last about 20 years. In other cases, they may only last 8 or 9. It all depends on the quality of the appliances and how often you use them, and how they are maintained.

Based on open sources, as well as personal experience, we have compiled a table with the average lifespan of the main types of major appliances.

Average lifespan of home appliances *

* – the longevity of household appliances depends on both the technical characteristics of the device and the degree of their operation and quality of maintenance service.

Household appliance lifespan

Freezers

Many homeowners like the convenience of a freezer, and it can last up to 10-20 years. To get the most out of your freezer, get a model with an automatic defrost cycle or defrost it manually on a regular basis.

Freestanding freezers typically last up to 20 years with regular maintenance:

• Wipe the inside and outside of the freezer with dish soap and water a couple of times a year, making sure to rinse the soap off with clean water.
• Inspect the back of the freezer and vacuum dust and lint from the coils.
• Maintain the recommended temperature in the freezer compartment.

Gas ranges

On average, a gas stove should last 10 to 18 years with proper maintenance. In general, gas stoves are reliable home appliances. Follow these simple care tips to extend the life of your gas stove:

• Clean the grids regularly with warm water and a mild detergent.
• Never use abrasive materials on the grates or the top of the gas stove.
• Do not insert anything sharp into the burner holes, especially anything that could break off, such as a toothpick.

Electric Ranges

Electric stoves are durable equipment that often last up to 13-15 years, just like gas stoves. Stoves are not difficult to care for:

• To avoid accidents and make cleaning easier, use metal drip trays.
• Remove electrical components regularly and clean them with a sponge and non-abrasive cleaner.
• Use lukewarm water and a sponge to wash the top of the electric hob after removing the elements, drip trays and controls.

By the way, electric stove outlets don’t last forever either – they need to be replaced every 10 years.

Refrigerators

Even if refrigerators are constantly running 24 hours a day, you can expect them to last an average of 13 to 15 years.

Your refrigerator will last longer if you also follow a few other simple rules:

• Do not place the refrigerator near a gas or electric stove
• Do not put hot foods into the fridge
• Keep water containers closed
• Clean your fridge at least once a month and do not use acidic substances.
• Vacuum the air intake at the base of your refrigerator regularly to remove dust and other debris.
• Maintain the rubber door gaskets by wiping them frequently with a soft cloth and mild detergent.
• Make sure that the drain pan at the bottom of the refrigerator does not fill with water or spill out.

Air conditioners

The service life of a cooling unit often depends on the brand and manufacturer. The average lifespan of an air conditioner is 10 to 15 years. Central air conditioners typically last about 15 years, and room air conditioners last about 10 years.

Dirt is the main cause of breakdowns, so it’s important to clean dust and poplar fuzz off air conditioners regularly, especially for those who live on lower floors. Homeowners can extend the life of their air conditioner by replacing the filters regularly. Service life also depends on the quality of installation, which should only be entrusted to a professional. And before the summer, you should call in specialists for routine maintenance – cleaning, diagnostics of the air conditioner and topping up with freon.

Stove / Cooktop and Oven Hoods

Range hoods are very straightforward equipment that, with appropriate maintenance, may work for 14 years or longer:

• The majority of cooking oil and food splatters land on hoods. Use hot water, a sponge, and a little detergent to wash the top and inside.
• Keep an eye on the filter and clean it frequently. By immersing the filter in hot, soapy water and then washing it under cold water, grease on the metal filter may be removed.
• Avoid allowing the duct to clog up since doing so would reduce performance and might potentially start fires.

Washing Machines & Dryers

A washer and electric or gas dryer may last about 10-13 years with regular maintenance. Because a washing machine works hard, you need to keep a close eye on it to extend its life. Keep these simple tips in mind:

• Always keep your clothes balanced in the drum.
• Keep the drain line clean and clear.
• Clean the drum of your washing machine regularly.
• Remove and clean debris from both the screen and the vent leading to the outside. Dust, fibers and lint are the main causes of dryer fires.
• Never place soiled clothing in the dryer. Clean the inside of the dryer drum only with a soft cloth and mild detergent.
• Clean the outside of the dryer with a sponge and warm water.

Dishwashers

Homeowners can significantly save time, energy and water by installing an efficient dishwasher. The downside is that, on average, these kitchen helpers require replacement after nine years. However, there is an advantage to having such a short lifespan: Compared to older machines, which can consume more than 10 gallons of water per cycle, modern models consume much less water.

• Dishwashers need to be cleaned regularly to maintain their lifespan of about 9 to 13 years.
• For information on how to properly stack plates and glasses, refer to your dishwasher’s owner’s manual.
• To make sure the dishwasher drains properly and to keep this area clean, keep an eye on the underside of the appliance.
• Make sure the dishwasher vent is kept clean.

Garbage disposals

Food waste is shredded in garbage cans so that it can be flushed down drains. Garbage disposals can only last 8 years because the engine is subjected to so much stress. However, with careful maintenance, disposals can last up to 12 years:

• Clear the disposal’s bottom of debris on a regular basis. Before clearing the disposal, always remember to disconnect it.
• Keep your waste disposal clear of fats, bones, noodles, eggshells, potato peels, and fibrous items like pumpkin or celery.
• To ensure that the disposal stays securely in place, check the screws holding it to the underside of the countertop. If the screws are loose, tighten them with a manual screwdriver or cordless drill.

Microwaves

Microwave ovens are a marvel of modern cooking, but unfortunately, they don’t last very long. A typical microwave should last up to 9 years. Follow some simple care rules to extend the lifespan of your microwave:

• To remove food splatter, wipe the inside of the microwave frequently.
• The spinning glass plate should be removed and washed in the sink. To ensure smooth rotation, clean the area under it as well.
• Never start the microwave when it is empty; use it only when there is food or drinks in it.

Conclusion

Most older generation appliances use mostly mechanical systems and have far fewer electronic parts. Typically, the more electronics/features an appliance has, the more chance something can go wrong. The trend shows that all appliances assembled before 2016 last, on average, 3-7 years longer than newer generation appliances.

How Can You Tell How Old Your Appliance Is?

In order to determine its age, it”s best to find the sticker with the model”s serial number on your device.

Usually, the year of manufacture of a particular unit is indicated on a sticker or coded in the serial number. The first row or last digits on labels indicate the year of manufacture. For example, in “SUC150955FILF” the number 15 means 2015. You can also find the model of the device and see what year it was released.

Author: Jacob Dillard

My name is Jacob Dillard, and I am the author of articles at Appliance Repair Expert. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by technology and spent much time reading different books and trying to repair my first CD player. Then, I graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Applied Science and Engineering. In a year, I got my first job as a technician at an appliance repair company. After years of practice and working with professionals, I decided it was time to share my knowledge and experience here at Appliance Repair Expert. I want to help you understand everything related to appliance repair, maintenance and installation in the simplest way possible. It will be fun, believe me!