The Life of Your House
Life Expectancy of Major Appliances
The good news is not all parts of your house need to be maintained annually. Some materials, like hardwood floors and wood beams, can last forever. But your appliances and many other items have an expiration date. So plan for the demise of your water heater long before it goes kaput. Make a list of the objects in your home, noting the years they were installed, and set aside money for their eventual replacement.
- Gas range 10 to 18
- Electric ranges 13 to 15
- Range and oven hoods 14
- Dryers (electric and gas) 13
- Refrigerators 14
- Garbage disposals 12
- Freezers 10 to 20
- Washing machines 11
- Microwaves 9
- Dishwashers 9
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With the rising costs of major appliances and greater attention to the environment, it makes sense to maintain and preserve your major appliances for as long as possible. Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are better built than ever before, so you can expect them to last for their full life expectancy and even beyond.
Understanding how long appliances should last helps you maintain them for their proper lifespan—without unnecessary repairs for machines that legitimately should be replaced.