Home appliances are an essential part of daily life since they enable us to carry out the various responsibilities of our homes with convenience and efficiency. The biggest question is: how long do home appliances last? Is it worth it to spend money on new home appliances every few years, or are you the type of person who can wait until the current one breaks down? We have come to the realization that it is in everyone’s best interest to get their defective appliances repaired as soon as possible. As a result, it is important that we figure out the average lifespan of our home appliances to avoid costly repairs and replacements. In this article, we will discuss the average lifespan of some of the most common home and kitchen appliances, signs when you should replace your appliances, and offer advice to homeowners on how appliances can make them last longer than the average.
Also Read: Tips to Make Your Appliances Last Longer
| Type of Appliance | Average Life Expectancy |
| Washing machines and dryers | 8-10 years |
| Microwave Oven | 9-10 years |
| Refrigerator | 7-18 years |
| Air conditioner and heater | 15-20 years |
| Dishwasher | 10-15 years |
| Hot water heater | 10-25 years |
| Oven | 10-15 years |
Appliance Life Expectancy Chart
Washing Machines and Dryers
There are a lot of factors that can affect how long either of them will last, but the average lifespan is somewhere between eight and ten years. Some of these factors include how often you use them, the brand, and the model.
How to make it last:
- Check the fill hoses for the water
- Make every effort to avoid mold
- Clean the drawer of the dispenser
- Don’t overload the detergent
For washing machines
- Bleach wash should be used to clean the interior
- Make sure there are no cracks or leaks in the hoses
- Use a drip pan
- It is important to keep the rubber seal on front loaders clean
- After you have completed a cycle, ensure proper ventilation by keeping the top -loader doors open
- Check to see that the washing machine is sitting on a level surface
- Always make sure to use the appropriate amount of detergent for the load and machine
- Never allow wet clothing to sit where it can breed mold or mildew
- Inspect and clean the filters on the front loader drain pump
For dryer
- After each load, you should clean the lint trap
- Examine the exhaust vent of the dryer for any obstructions or bends
- Use some detergent to clean the lint filter and get rid of any remains
- Take out the exhaust duct line and give it a good cleaning
- Rather than using vinyl, exhaust ducts for dryers should be made of metal
Signs when you should replace your washer and dryer:
- You need to replace both your washer and dryer because leakage is a significant concern
- Excessive, persistent noise
- Your clothes aren’t drying correctly despite your best efforts
Microwave Oven
You might not realize how much you rely on your microwave until you are forced to go without it for even a short period of time. Food can be heated up in a microwave in a short amount of time. In spite of the fact that they are typically not too difficult to maintain for an extended period of time, you will still be responsible for their upkeep, which includes cleaning and maintenance. It is essential that you refrain from abusing your microwave in any way, as improper use can result in expensive repairs and perhaps put you in a dangerous situation.
How to make it last:
- Maintain its cleanliness by eliminating filth and swiftly wiping up any spills that may occur
- Never put anything metallic inside, especially aluminium foil or silver or gold embellishments
- Do not pull the door open or slam it before the microwave has been completely switched off
- Do not operate it when it is empty of stuff
Also Read: How to Clean a Microwave? Simple Hacks You Can Do
Signs when you should replace your Microwave Oven:
- When you use it, there is a stench of something burning.
- You might witness sparkles
- The food doesn’t heat all the way through There’s a loud and weird sound created
- While it’s on, the keypad isn’t performing as well as it used to
Refrigerator
Despite the fact that it is one of the most essential appliances in your home, your refrigerator is not going to survive indefinitely. Even the most properly maintained refrigerator will one day lose its ability to keep food and drinks cold. The average new refrigerator has a lifespan of roughly seven years, which is something to keep in mind when purchasing one.
How to make it last:
- Make use of your warranty
- Ensure that the Condenser Coils are Cleaned
- Door hinges need to be oiled and cleaned.
- Free up Some Room in Your Refrigerator
- Don’t Cram Too Much Into Your Refrigerator
- Alter the Settings on the Water Filter.
Signs when you should replace your refrigerator:
- The food is not maintaining its freshness
- Excessive condensation inside
- An abnormally high level of heat is coming from the appliance’s back
- The motor makes a constant, annoying noise.
Air Conditioner and Heater
The temperature in your home is maintained at a comfortable level by HVAC systems, which operate continuously throughout the year, day and night. Running it around the clock for an entire year requires a lot of energy and puts a lot of strain on it. Remarkably, air conditioning and heating systems typically run for 15 years or more, and even longer if preventative maintenance is performed on the system on a regular basis. Both regular maintenance and annual professional servicing from a qualified technician are necessary to keep your air conditioner in peak operating condition. To keep on top of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning machines and to add years to its life, you will need to do routine checkups as well as other duties such as cleaning your air filters.
How to make it last:
- At a minimum, every three months, you should replace your air filters
- Have a qualified specialist examine you once a year
- Make sure the fins are brushed and clean
- The condenser of the air conditioner should be cleaned
- Utilize a vacuum to clear away the garbage
- Ensure that the area around the unit is clean by removing any branches, plants, leaves, and other particles.
- During the winter, make sure that the air conditioning unit is covered
- Set the unit’s level
- Ensure that the evaporator coil is clean
- Ensure that the evaporator drain is clean
- Scrub the filter on the blower
- Have a qualified person clean the air ducts for you
Sign when you should replace your air conditioner and heater:
- Loud or unusual noises
- Poor air flow
- Warm air, not cold air, is being blown out of the vents
Dishwasher
The majority of dishwashers have a lifespan of up to 10 years. If your dishwasher makes banging noises, has difficulties keeping dishes clean, or does not spray water correctly, these are all symptoms that it may not have much longer to live. Even while dishwashers are typically rather affordable, it is always preferable to maintain and repair the appliance rather than replace it, unless the machine has reached the end of its useful lifespan.
How to make it last:
- Make it a habit to run your dishwasher on a regular basis to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and dry rot.
- Clean your gasket and door edges, detergent dispenser, drain area
- Examine and polish the rotating arms, eliminating any residue that may have accumulated.
- Vinegar can be used to get rid of the buildup.
- To get rid of mildew, use bleach in your cleaning routine.
Sign when you should replace your dishwasher:
- Dishes that aren’t clean and food particles left behind are also telltale symptoms.
- If your dishwasher is making a lot of noise, there may be a problem.
- The estimated cost of repairs is greater than fifty percent of the total value of the machine.
- The water cannot flow out through the bottom of the substance.
- The door on the dishwasher doesn’t close all the way.
Hot Water Heater
Tankless water heaters can last for as long as 25 years or even more, in contrast to conventional electric or gas water heaters, which often don’t last more than approximately 10 years. The quality of your water can frequently have an effect on how long your water heater will continue to function. Mineral deposits will cause a significant amount of accumulation in water that has not been treated and that is either hard or contains a great deal of silt, sand, or mud. The accumulation of these deposits inside the tank will cause it to function less effectively.
How to make it last:
- Empty and flush the tank.
- Insulation should be added to cut down on heat loss.
- To prevent rust from forming, dangle an anode hod inside the tank.
- Adjust the temperature to your preference.
- Insulate pipesRemove all traces of dirt.
Sign when you should replace your hot water heater:
- The water that comes out of it is rusty.
- The water in the tank is cloudy or has a higher concentration of silt.
- The water makes a lot of noise as it heats up.
- There is flooding all around the base of it.
Oven
The lifespan of a stove or oven is normally around 10 and 15 years on average. You’ll notice that it takes longer for your oven to heat up, that food doesn’t reach the correct temperatures, and that the flame on your gas stove becomes yellow and orange rather than blue and purple.
How to make it last:
- Take care not to use the high-heat self-cleaning option, since this can cause the control board to catch fire.
- Regular wiping and cleaning, as well as staying on top of any everyday spills, is required.
- Turn off the power to your oven before cleaning it with water.
- Create a spill barrier
- Do not clean under the control knobs because they may contain electrical components that should not come in contact with water.
Sign when you should replace your oven or stove:
- If you’ve noticed corrosion and a lot of dirt, getting quotations for repairs may be too expensive.
- Your oven isn’t meeting your cooking demands
- There are cracks in the glass, and the lights are broken.
Things to consider when buying a new appliance
The life expectancy of home appliances varies according to how you use and maintain them. If you overuse them, there’s a higher chance that they will not last long. Proper maintenance of your appliances will ensure that they will last longer than their average lifespan.
Also Read: Taking Care of Household Appliances: How to make them last
Affordable House and Lot
Meanwhile, if you are planning to invest and buy an affordable house and lot for you and your growing family that is absolutely perfect for your new appliances, choose Bria Homes as your home of choice
Written by Alfred Alaba
