Refrigerators, stoves, and other household appliances are a significant investment. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the different lifespans of appliances in the home and how to best maximize them.
What Affects the Lifespans of Appliances?
The most common factor in the lifespans of your home appliances is how often you use them. The quality of the appliances is also important, along with how well you take care of them. Gas ranges typically offer the longest lifespan of any home appliance, while microwaves tend to need replacing more often.
Ranges and Microwaves
If you have a gas range, you can expect it to last for about 15 years. Electric ranges aren’t too far behind at roughly 13 years, and range hoods last for about 14 years. Maximize the efficiency of your range and its hood with regular cleanings. You may need to call a pro for a thorough range hood cleaning.
If a microwave is your go-to cooking source, you’ll get anywhere from 5 to 10 years of life out of this appliance. You can slightly extend its life by keeping your microwave clean.
Lifespans of Appliances: Fridges and Freezers
A standard refrigerator will last about 13 years and a compact fridge will give you about a decade of use. However, this is one appliance you may want to replace sooner if you have an older model. Today’s refrigerators use about 40% less energy than models from the early 2000s. Newer, separate freezers are designed to give you up to 20 years of operating life. But according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the average lifespan is about 11 years.
Dishwashers and Disposals
The lifespans of appliances designed to clean your dishes and help dispose of kitchen waste range from approximately 9 to 12 years, respectively. Dishwashers will last longer if you keep them clean and only run them when there is a full load.
Washers and Dryers
If you clean the lint traps, air ducts, and filters, and regularly replace hoses, you can expect a top-quality washing machine to last for about a decade or so. Both electric and gas-powered tend to work well for up to 13 years.
Furnaces and Air Conditioners in the Lifespans of Appliances
Oil-fueled furnaces will keep you warm for about two decades. You should get around 18 years from a gas model and 15 years from an electric furnace. With air conditioners, room models tend to last about 10 years, and central systems usually last five years longer, at 15 years. Additional comfort-related appliances offer the following average lifespans:
• gas-fired boilers: 21 years
• electric boilers: 13 years
• heat pumps: 16 years
Water Heaters
The lifespan of a water heater largely depends on what type you install in your home. Standard models usually keep producing hot water for about 11 years while gas models last about 10. Newer tankless models, however, can work for 20 years or more.
Keep in mind these are just estimates. The lifespans of major home appliances may extend beyond what’s considered average if you properly maintain and service them. Such efforts typically involve cleaning refrigerator coils, not overloading washing machines, keeping appliances clean, and taking care of smaller issues sooner rather than later.
Spot On Inspection provides home inspection services to Houston, Texas and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.