Household appliances have become an essential in many homes, making our lives more convenient and comfortable. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and while you may love your current appliances they will inevitably fail with age. How long your appliance lasts depends on the frequency of use, the make, model and brand, and how well it is cared for. So, at some point you will be left with a difficult decision of whether it is more economical to continue to repair an aging appliance or if it is time for a replacement. So, here we’ll explore the average lifespans of household appliances and some tips to help you prolong their usage.

Kitchen Appliances:

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms of the home and it is packed with appliances that are used daily. From meal prep to clean up, we tend to use an appliance for almost every activity in the kitchen, but many of these hardworking appliances can last 10 years or more with proper care.

Refrigerators: Up to 18 Years

Although a refrigerator is constantly running, many models can last 10 to 18 years. This is a massive difference in lifespan, but you can help your appliance have a long life with these tips:

  • Clean Routinely: Clean the inside and outside of the refrigerator regularly, particularly the condenser coils that can accumulate dirt and dust.
  • Check the Door Gaskets: Clean the gaskets regularly and check that they still create a good seal. This will prevent air escaping and discourage condensation. If a gasket is worn out or becomes brittle, it will make the refrigerator work harder to maintain the temperature.
  • Allow Ventilation: While many people like an integrated look with cabinets surrounding appliances, make sure you still allow for proper ventilation. You will need at least a couple of inches of space between the bottom of the cabinet and the top of the refrigerator to allow heat to escape.
  • Ensure It’s Level: Your refrigerator should sit level on the floor, which will ensure the door closes properly and the motor is not put under undue strain.
  • Pack Properly: There is a delicate balance between having sufficient food and drinks to help maintain the temperature and packing it so full airflow is blocked. Don’t have your fridge so full everything is crushed together or so empty, the appliance needs to generate excessive cool air.

You can usually tell your refrigerator is due for an upgrade if it is failing to properly cool, there is a build up of frost or condensation, or food spoils well before the expiration dates. You may also hear loud noises when it is running.

Ovens: 13 Years Plus:

The average lifespan of ovens depends on whether it is electric or gas. Generally gas stoves have a longer lifespan and may provide 20 or more years of use.

You can extend the lifespan of your oven by keeping the oven clean and avoiding harsh chemicals. Some products can compromise the coating inside the oven cavity or damage the heating knobs. You should also check the seals on the oven door routinely to confirm heat isn’t escaping, forcing the oven to work harder.

If your oven is no longer evenly heating or taking far longer than normal to preheat, it could be time to replace it. A malfunctioning control panel, damage to the glass door, ceramic top or rusting inside the oven are also indications that you need to start oven shopping.

Dishwashers: 9 to 16 Years:

Dishwashers need to run properly to ensure that your dishes are clean and safe to use. You can keep your dishwasher running for longer by keeping the inside clean, including cleaning the filter and removing any solid pieces of food from the dishes before washing. You should also watch for damaged seals or overloading which can place the appliance under strain.

If your dishes are not washing properly, there are issues locking the door or water leaks, your dishwasher may be reaching the end of its usable lifespan.

Garbage Disposals: 10 to 15 Years:

There are a number of things that you can do to prolong the lifespan of a garbage disposal including:

  • Run Cold Water: You should run cold water when your disposal is operating. Avoid hot water that may encourage fat to adhere to the inside of the disposal.
  • Use Citrus Peels: Running citrus peels through the disposal can not only create a fresh scent, but the oils can discourage bacterial growth.
  • Avoid Harsh Chemicals: You can clean this appliance with a degreaser or specifically made cleaning product. Harsh chemicals can put your disposal at risk of damage.
  • Avoid Drain Clogging Foods: There are some foods that are notorious for the potential to clog drains. Avoid putting pasta, potato peels, coffee grounds, eggshells and any grease or fats down the disposal.

If your disposal clogs frequently, leaks or has a burned out motor, you’ll need to replace it.

Microwaves: 5 to 10 Years:

Microwaves are relatively inexpensive to replace, but it is still a good idea to try to get your money’s worth. You can help your microwave to last longer with a few simple things:

  • Only use microwave safe dishes
  • Avoid any metal in the dishwasher including aluminum foil and metal accents on dishes
  • Clean inside to avoid damage
  • Pause or stop the microwave before opening the door
  • Don’t run it empty as there is nothing to absorb the heating waves, which can cause damage to the appliance.

If your microwave makes strange noises when running, there is a burning odor when in use or it smokes, it is likely on its last leg. You should also upgrade if the control panel is no longer working properly or it takes longer to heat the food.

Other Household Appliances:

There are also other household appliances around your home that are important for your family. These can be costly to replace prematurely, so you will want to keep them running as long as possible.

Washers and Dryers: Up to 18 Years:

Dryers tend to last longer than washers, but you can expect 8 to 16 years of useful life from your washer. As with ovens, the lifespan of a dryer is influenced by whether it is gas or electric, but in this case, electric models tend to last a little longer.

You can extend the lifespan of these appliances with some basic preventative maintenance. These measures include:

  • Keep the appliances level to prevent damage
  • Replace damaged hoses
  • Wipe down gaskets and clean lint traps after each use
  • Clean dryer ducts at least once per year to eliminate lint build up
  • Use the correct amount and type of detergent. If you have a HE washer, use special HE detergent.

If your laundry appliances start to make excessive noise when in use, there are leaks or the performance has been compromised, it is time to buy a new appliance.

If any of your household appliances are reaching the end of their lifespan and you’re considering a replacement, you can explore your options with our online appliance collections. If you need further help, be sure to speak to one of our home appliance specialists who would be delighted to guide you through your options.