Understanding the Lifespan of Modern Appliances

When one of your home appliances has a fault, it can be a difficult decision of whether you should attempt a repair or shop for a replacement. Many homeowners assume that the technological advancements in modern appliances not only improve our everyday lives, but have no impact on their lifespan. In fact, adding tech such as displays and sensors can actually shorten the lifespan of a product. Major home appliances such as stoves, washers, and refrigerators used to be relatively simple devices, but thanks to the introduction of smart technology they have now been plugged into the digital revolution. It is now possible to scan food items into your refrigerator and have your appliance make a recipe recommendation based on your current fridge contents. Unfortunately, these added bells and whistles have come at a cost and appliances just don’t last as long as they did in the past. So, here we’ll explore this topic further, so you can understand the lifespan of modern appliances and make an informed decision about repairs.

Why the Lifespan Has Been Shortened

While we may laugh about the avocado green washing machine that used to sit our mom or grandma’s kitchen, these machines were mostly mechanical in nature, so could be expected to last 20 to 30 years. The current lifespan of a major home appliance is now around 10 to 15 years. The presence of Wi-Fi, LCD screens and sensors has increased modern appliances vulnerabilities. Remember that the more gadgets, the more potential for things to fail. These technical advancements can put greater stress on the appliance, leading to failure sooner.

Additionally, these days, you’re not likely to see copper and porcelain parts that were more durable than the modern thinner plastics. Although these parts are less expensive to produce, they are prone to wearing out more quickly. So, while appliances of the past may have been bulky behemoths, they were made of heavier and more resilient materials.

The Average Lifespans

As mentioned above, the average lifespan of a major home appliance has decreased over the last few decades. Today, you can expect an average lifespan for a washer of 10 years, while the typical dryer will last 13 years. Dishwashers are expected to last 9 years, and refrigerators have an expected lifespan of 13 years. Some of the longest running appliances are air conditioners and gas ranges at 15 years, but electric ranges can usually only manage 13 years.

Tips to Avoid Premature Breakdown

Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to prolong the lifespan of your appliance and prevent premature breakdown. The first is often overlooked, but you should read through your appliance manual. Manufacturers create owner’s manuals with details on how to properly use, clean and maintain your appliance. This is vital to preserve the lifespan of any appliance as it will list simple maintenance tasks that can reduce strain and stress. For example, cleaning your refrigerator coils is reasonably straightforward, but it neglecting this can allow dust and other debris to accumulate. This forces the appliance to work harder to maintain the optimum temperature, leading to excessive wear and tear.

You should also consider regular servicing for your appliances. A professional technician can assess your appliance for any minor faults before they can develop into a significant problem and contribute to a cascade failure. Regular servicing can also provide an opportunity for preventative maintenance to save on future repair costs.

Finally, if a problem does arise, don’t immediately dump your appliance. The chances are that if the appliance has not reached its average lifespan, a specific problem can be corrected to allow you to keep it running for its full lifespan.

If you’re having any issues with your home appliances, you can rely on a professional home appliance repair specialist for a long-term solution. A professional technician can assist with any repair issues and provide guidance to help you improve the lifespan of your appliances.

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