Life Expectancy of Major Appliances
Twenty or so years ago, small electrical appliances were regularly repaired by the local repair shop. In today's disposable society, we usually just replace them. Major appliances are still worth a repair call. The same applies to furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters. Does this Spark an idea?
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Considerations
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Before making predictions about appliance lifespans, you must consider some basic facts. These include the original price, the quality level of the appliance and how much it has been used. If the appliance was reduced in price because it was refurbished or made with low-quality materials, or if it has been used in a manner considered excessive, its life expectancy could be seriously shortened.
Using Predictions
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Although not much can be done to increase appliance lifespans, life-expectancy predictions can help in planning for replacements and in determining if buying a used appliance is cost effective. Also keep in mind that what different consumers consider "normal" use and care may vary greatly. Consult individual manufacturers for guidelines on how to extend appliance lifespans.
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Kitchen
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Refrigerators come out on top for longevity in this category. Single-door models are expected to last 19 years, followed by 17 years for top-freezer refrigerators and 14 years for both bottom-freezer and side-by-side models. The college favorite, compact mini refrigerators, have a five-year life expectancy.
A gas stove should work for about 19 years compared with its electric counterpart, which will likely last about 17. The lifespans of built-in cooktop stoves vary and will last anywhere from 13 to 20 years. A microwave oven will provide good service for an average of 10 years.
Dishwashers and trash compactors both have predicted lifespans of about 10 years. Kitchen smoke alarms are also expected to last about a decade. After about 10 to 12 years, a garbage disposal will likely need to be replaced.
Laundry Room
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Top-loading washing machines with normal wear and tear are expected to provide about 14 years of service. Front-loading washing machines will likely fail around age 11. Clothes dryers, regardless of the loading location, have a life expectancy of 13 years.
Miscellaneous Appliances
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Tankless water heaters, also known as an on-demand water heaters, will cost more to purchase than traditional models but will probably last more than 20 years. Regular electric water heaters should last 13 to 14 years, while a gas model will likely operate for 11 to 13 years.
Room-size air conditioners should cool effectively for 10 years. An air-conditioning compressor for a full-house system could last 15 to 20 years. A heat pump forced-air furnace is expected to work for 15 years. Baseboard heating systems have a life expectancy of 20 years.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of WorldIslandInfo.com
