Average Life Span of the Appliances in Your Home
Learn how long you can expect your major household appliances to last.
Refrigerator
You can expect a typical new refrigerator to last about seven years.
Make It Last: Maximize the lifespan by adjusting the freezer setting to 0 degrees F. and the refrigerator to 36 to 37 degrees. These are the best compromises between efficient food handling/safety and sparing the compressor from excess load.
Dishwasher
A typical new dishwasher will also last about seven years.
Make It Last: Excessive soap is the No. 1 enemy of your dishwasher. Detergent with no grime to fight tends to attack seals and mechanisms within your appliance, and can even etch your dishes. Despite what the box says, one tablespoon is enough detergent to get your dishes sparkling clean. And if you use encapsulated dishwashing pods, skip the rinse enhancer — it’s already in the pod.
Range
Your oven and cooktop, whether separate or a single unit, make up the sturdiest appliance in your kitchen, often lasting 10 years or longer. It’s often the body or the electric control unit that goes bad before the cooking units. Or the style becomes dated, triggering desire for a new appliance.
Make It Last: Our expert recommends skipping your oven’s self-cleaning cycle, which often runs too hot (up to 1,100 degrees F!) and over-stresses the construction, shortening the lifespan.
Microwave
You can expect a new microwave to last about six years.
Make It Last: In general, use the microwave for the quick-heating tasks it was designed for and leave the heavy work for your conventional oven.
Washing Machine
A typical new washing machine will last five to seven years, maybe longer with regular maintenance.
Make It Last: As with the dishwasher, excessive soap is the leading cause of washer issues. Use only one to 1-1/2 tablespoons per load, regardless of machine type, Wasieleski says. (Really, that’s all you need!) Excessive soap builds up in the machine, causing the tub to smell musty and damaging the gaskets, seals and bearings.
Clothes Dryer
Dryers tend to last longer than washing machines, typically seven to 12 years.
Make It Last: Although it’s tempting to skip cleaning the lint trap between loads, a clogged trap is the top reason for stress on your dryer. Clean it every time. Skip the dryer sheets, too, according to our expert. Their waxy film can build up on the lint screen, causing the dryer to have to work harder (and the screen to clog faster).
For the same reason, clean the dryer vent a couple of times each year. Buildup there impairs the operation of your dryer and speeds its demise.
Water Heater
According to Water Heater Database, an online data-sharing tool for licensed plumbers, the average lifespan for a water heater is approximately 15 years across seven common brands.
Make It Last: Keep sediment from building up in your tank by flushing out one or two gallons of water once or twice a year. Be aware there’s a corrosion-control device in your water heater, called a sacrificial anode rod, that should be replaced every three to five years.
Read more: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/home-appliances-lifespan/