When an appliance breaks, it can be hard to find a suitable replacement. Our appliance may have been very reliable, but technology may have changed the model so much that you may not recognize that the appliance doesn’t the function in the way it used to.
The Internet makes it so easy to search for replacement parts and reputable technicians to service appliances, so hopefully you may not have to replace your older, but reliable appliance.
However, if there’s no other option but to replace it you may want to shop around to figure out where to buy the appliance you’re looking for. Also, some brands have merged with other companies, so be sure to investigate appliance companies and find out if their brand has history of breaking or how long the the appliance is estimated to last before repair or replacement.
Consumer Reports has an article on the general life expectancy of an appliance. Here’s their chart that gives an overview of how long we can expect an appliance to last.
| Appliance | Life Expectancy (years) |
| Air Conditioners (room) | 10 |
| Air Conditioners (central) | 15 |
| Boilers (electric) | 13 |
| Boilers (gas) | 21 |
| Compactors | 6 |
| Dehumidifiers | 8 |
| Dishwashers | 9 |
| Dryers (electric and gas) | 13 |
| Freezers | 11 |
| Furnaces (electric warm air) | 15 |
| Furnaces (gas warm air) | 18 |
| Furnaces (oil warm air) | 20 |
| Garbage Disposers | 12 |
| Humidifiers | 8 |
| Microwave Ovens | 9 |
| Range/Oven Hoods | 14 |
| Ranges (electric) | 13 |
| Ranges (gas) | 15 |
| Refrigerators | 13 |
| Refrigerators (compact) | 9 |
| Thermostats | 35 |
| Washing Machines | 10 |
| Water Heaters (electric) | 11 |
| Water Heaters (gas) | 10 |
| Water Heaters (tankless) | 20+ |
The article listed these figures for the life expectancy of appliances as a general guideline. Keep in mind that if one is hard on their appliances they won’t last long. Just like a car, the model, make and year, as well as the brand’s reputation might give you an idea of how long the appliance will last or if it might need replacing even sooner.
By being gentle and using your appliance according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, it can last for many years.
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I hope that you enjoyed this How Old Are Your Appliances? post!