How Long Do Your Appliances Last?

July 10, 2017 Allison Hess

Purchasing new appliances is an expensive drain on your homeowners’ budget, so you want to get as much life out of these machines as possible. To safeguard your budget, you need to know how long your appliances should last and how you can boost this lifespan for greater usage.

What Factors Affect Appliance Lifespan?

There are two key factors that will increase or decrease the longevity of your household machines.

1. Frequency and intensity of use

A large family with eight people will generally cause more wear and tear on appliances than a single individual or couple based on the frequency of usage. Furthermore, how one uses the machine will also influence the lifespan of the appliance.

For example, a family of eight will likely use the washing machine more frequently than a single individual. However, if an individual overloads the washer every time it is used, he or she may still put as much pressure on the machine because of the energy expenditure of the overload.

2. Cleanliness of machines

Appliances don’t like to be dirty. A backup of grime prevents machines from working at full capacity, which forces them to exert more to do the same job. This higher energy expenditure means the machine will likely depreciate faster.

Below, we’ll take a look at the major appliances in your house. We’ll discuss the general lifespan, how you know when it’s time for repair or repurchase, and the steps you can take to keep these appliances working efficiently over time.

Refrigerator

Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

It’s time to change your fridge when… you notice that food is going bad quicker or drinks are not cooling down. Put a thermometer in your fridge for 10 minutes and close the door. When you take out the thermometer, the temperature should not be above 45 degrees. If it is, you can likely assume that your fridge has stopped functioning properly and needs a good cleaning, repair, or needs to be replaced (if it’s after the year 10 mark).

Generally, your fridge is the most expensive appliance in your kitchen. In this way, it also calls for the most attention and cares to expand its longevity. Although a typical fridge lasts between 10-15 years, some can go up to 22 years if properly taken care of. If you don’t take care of it, though, your fridge could die out unexpectedly, leaving you with stinky food and an immediate household problem.

There are four ways to keep your fridge fresh and functioning:

1. Buy an energy-efficient model.

This will save energy, in the long run, so your fridge is less likely to burn out over time. It also will save you money and protect the environment—which is aligned with our eco-mission here at HomeRev.

2. Clean the coils one to two times per year.

Fridge coils fill with dust and dirt quickly, especially if you have pets. Dirty coils restrict airflow, causing your fridge to overheat, overwork, and potentially break down. You can usually find these coils on a snap-off cover on the bottom front of your fridge or on the back against the wall. Use a vacuum or coil brush to dislodge gunk for a clean, fresh, working machine.

3. Change fridge filters regularly to prevent backups.

Like the coils, clogged filters will cause your fridge to expend more energy to cool your food. Check out our HomeRev air and water fridge filters to easily, economically, and efficiently keep your fridge free of grime.

4. Keep the inside clean.

Spills and leaks make your fridge work harder to keep it cool. The fridge senses a food particle it needs to chill, so it expends the energy to do so even though it is just a spill. Learn how to deep clean your refrigerator for higher efficiency here.

Stove and Oven

Life Expectancy: 10-13 for electric; 15-18 for gas

It’s time to change your stove and oven when… your control board starts to malfunction, as this could be a sign that the rest of the machine is likely also not working properly. You should also take note of stove igniter failure and over- or under-cooked food. For example, you have been making the same chicken dish in your oven for years; if it suddenly takes double the time to cook, your oven is likely slowing down and losing power.

There are four ways to extend the expectancy of your oven-stove:

1. Clean with the right solution.

Often, people will use solutions that are too harsh for their stovetops, which can diminish the lifespan quickly. Instead, try cleaning with warm water and white vinegar (a HomeRev cleaning favorite).

2. Clean regularly.

Wipe down burners, stovetops, and the oven interior to prevent clogs. If you have a gas range, clean the vent hood filter to avoid a buildup of grease. If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, use it.

3. Don’t spray directly on the knobs.

A lot of people make the mistake of spraying the cleaning solution on the knobs of their stove or control board. This can actually lead to irreparable electrical malfunctions in the machine. Instead, squirt the solution on a rag and wipe knobs with the damp towel.

4. Don’t let food sit on burners or inside the oven.

The longer food sits, the more it gets caked on and harder to clean off. Like with the fridge, your oven will think that any leftover, spilled food needs to be cooked, so it will expend extra energy. This diminishes the workability of your appliance over time, while also potentially causing smoke or fire.

Dishwasher

Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

It’s time to change your dishwasher when… you hear a loud banging noise (and can’t find the source of the noise easily) or if it no longer cleans your dishes (leaves scum that could easily be washed off by hand).

It’s important to note that dishwashers break more easily than other kitchen appliances. In this way, start by cleaning and calling in a repairman before replacing the entire washer.

There are three ways to extend your dishwasher’s life:

1. Run it regularly without dishes inside.

This will help clean out any extra gunk and food particles that could get trapped and cause mold, mildew, and backups.

2. Don’t under- or over-wash dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

Leaving too much food on your plates when they go in the washer can cause food to get lodged in the inner workings of the machine. If you wash your dishes too much before putting them in, though, your machine won’t have anything to clean, so it will actually overcompensate and use up more energy. Do a light pre-wash to remove large pieces of food to help your dishwasher do its job properly.

3. Don’t put dish soap in the dishwasher; only use dish detergent.

Dish soap is heavier and can clog the pipes in your washer.

Microwaves

Life Expectancy: 9-11 years

It’s time to change your microwave when… the control board starts to malfunction or it is nearing the time of life expectancy. Microwaves often don’t give “signs” that they’re dying off, so it’s usually up to your discretion when it’s time for a new appliance.

The best way to extend the efficiency of your microwave is to clean it often. Put a wet paper towel or a bowl filled with water and dish soap in the microwave. Turn the microwave on high for 1 minute. This will release moisture into the machine, which will help loosen any gunk or bacteria and make it easier to clean.

Clothes Washer and Dryer

Life Expectancy: 13-17 years

(Note: top-loader washers tend to last longer than front-loader washers.)

It’s time to change your washer and dryer when… they stop cleaning and drying your clothes, or when they smell despite thorough cleanings. Both could be an indicator that the pipes have stopped pulling out the grime and water properly, leaving your clothes dirty, stinky, and wet.

There are five ways to lengthen the life of your washer and dryer:

1. Clean your washer and dryer regularly.

You should clean your appliances monthly or bimonthly to keep the inner workings clear, clean, and efficient. Learn how to clean your washing machine here, and get our top 7 dryer hacks here! You should also do a deep cleaning of the hoses, heating elements, and ducts yearly.

2. Don’t overstuff or overload the appliances.

If you put too many clothes in, your machine will have to work harder to agitate and clean them. This puts a strain on the motor, transmission, and belts, which can cause constant disrepair and ultimately hurt the life expectancy of your machines. However, under-loading can also waste water and energy. It’s a good rule of thumb to fill up the tub halfway or three-quarters with laundry.

3. Don’t over-dry clothes.

Most dryers are automatically set to a 60-minute cycle, but it usually only takes 35 minutes to fully dry a medium-sized load of clothing. Save energy, heat, money, and the machine’s duration by simply reducing dry time. Plus, the more often you dry clothing, the shorter that clothing item’s life expectancy will be as well.

4. Clean your dryer lint traps.

Dirty lint traps prohibit circulation, causing your machine to work doubly as hard to get the job done. It is also a high risk of fire since your machine can overheat due to this lack of airflow. Cleaning out these lint traps after every use utilizes less energy and saves the life of your dryer.

5. Check your external vent cap.

Similarly, you should take a yearly look at your dryer’s external vent cap, which is usually located outside the home. This can build up with lint and dust that can reduce airflow, overheat, and cause the machine motor to fail.

The Bottom Line

Although there’s a time stamp on your appliances, you can extend the life of your machines and budget with proper upkeep. Maintaining a clean machine and fixing small problems ensures that you will have the same machine for years to come. Maintenance is a lot less expensive and more eco-friendly than purchasing a new appliance before its lifespan is up.

What has been your experience with prolonging the lifespan of your household appliances? Let us know in the comments below.

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