If there’s one thing you know, it’s that nothing lasts forever, not even your home appliances.
Every appliance has a different lifespan depending on its type, quality, and how often it’s used. But keeping up with home appliance repair and monitoring its age will help you determine when replacement is the best move.
Why Home Appliances Don’t Last Forever
Appliances have many moving parts. They each have to work together in a certain way for the unit to operate.
After years of use, wear and tear, and aging, something in your appliance is bound to break down.
Sometimes, they can be fixed. Other times, necessary parts may be obsolete, or the repairs simply cost too much.
Average Lifespan of Major Home Appliances
Should you repair or replace that major home appliance that needs repairs? The Washington Post says it partly depends on the age of the item in question.
Here are the average lifespans of home appliances each house commonly uses:
- Fridge – 10 to 15 years
- Ovens – 13 to 17 years
- Dishwashers – 8 to 12 years
- Microwaves – 7 to 10 years
- Washing Machines – 10 to 14 years
- Dryers – 12 to 15 years
- Water Heaters – 6 to 12 years
The Warning Signs That an Appliance Is Nearing the End of Its Life
There are plenty of signs that warn you when a home appliance is on its way toward certain death. Here are a few examples:
- Sign 1: Its Age
If your appliance is at, past, or even near the upper end of the average lifespan, it is nearing the end of its useful life. When something eventually breaks, replacement is your best move.
- Sign 2: Strange Noises
You know the noises your appliances normally make. If they are suddenly louder or make different noises, they may be trying to tell you they’re about done.
- Sign 3: Poor Operation
If you wash your dishes but they never look clean, or an appliance is operating poorly in another manner, it could be about to stop working completely.
- Sign 4: Unresponsiveness
When your fridge stops cooling and won’t respond to anything you try, it’s dead. Life, as the fridge knew it, is over.
How to Extend the Life of Your Appliances
There is no hard-and-fast home appliance lifespan. If you care for your appliances properly, they’ll last longer.
Homeowners don’t generally want to throw money at new appliances if they don’t have to, so extending the life of what you have is important.
Use the appliances according to the factory instructions. If your washing machine directions, for example, say to use liquid soap and not pods, stick to that.
There are certain ways appliances are meant to be used based on the brand and style.
It is also important to keep the appliance components clean. This is something you may be able to do yourself.
Otherwise, you can have professionals thoroughly clean the appliance elements to keep them working effectively and efficiently for longer.
Appliance-Specific Maintenance Tips That Add Years of Service
There are small things you can do to maintain home appliances, and none of the chores take very long. Each item adds years to your appliance’s life.
- Clean dishwashers and dryer filters.
- Check the fridge’s condenser coil for buildup.
- Use the appliances correctly and don’t overwhelm them.
Repair or Replace? How to Make the Right Decision
Consider a unit’s average life span when you consider whether or not you should repair or replace it.
Units nearing the end of their average lifespan should be replaced instead of repaired. Weigh the cost of the repair and your appliance’s age against the cost of replacement to make the final decision.
How New Technology Is Changing Appliance Lifespans
The New York Times says technology has shortened appliance lifespans since it is always changing.
New, smart appliances last, on average, 10 to 15 years compared to simpler units, which could last two decades or longer. They are more complex, and more can go wrong within them.
Common Mistakes That Shorten Appliance Lifespans
Appliances are expensive! Avoid common mistakes that shorten their lifespan. They include, but aren’t limited to:
- Using Wrong Soaps/Detergents
- Ignoring Warning Signs That Repairs Are Needed
- Letting Filters, Coils, and Vents get Dirty
- Overloading/Overusing the Unit
In conclusion
While each appliance has an average lifespan, there are things homeowners can do to utilize the unit effectively and efficiently for that timeline and longer.
When appliances need frequent repairs or are beyond their average lifespans, replacement is a good idea.
The experts at Astera are here to help you with diagnostics, repairs, recommendations, maintenance, and other elements revolving around your home appliances. Give us a call today, and we can help!
