How long will my appliances last?

How Long Will My Appliances Last? 

One of the most common questions I am asked during a home inspection is, “How long will X appliance last?” That can be a tough question to answer as each appliance has a different life expectancy and there are a lot of other variables that go into the life of any appliance. But, there are general ranges that could be helpful to know, so let’s look at the main 3! Read the blog to find out!

1. HVAC System (Furnace and Air Conditioner Condenser)

There are a few common areas that people ask about life span the most. In my experience, a home’s HVAC system (Furnace and Air Conditioning System) is the most common. In general, an HVAC system has a life expectancy of 15-20 years. There are lots of factors that play into the life of an HVAC system, but typically this is how long you can expect a system to last. When Marigold Home Inspectors inspect your home, or potential home, we will run the HVAC system that is appropriate for the season* and note the make, model, and serial number. Generally, we are able to determine the age of the furnace. If a furnace is found to be ten (10) years old or older, we will recommend that the HVAC system be certified by a HVAC professional. There are also some easy things you can do to help extend the life of your HVAC system.

First, have your HVAC system serviced yearly by a certified HVAC professional. This will ensure your HVAC system is working at peak performance. Second, change the air filter every 3-6 months, or more often with pets or larger families. Replacing your air filter on a regular basis will reduce stress on the blower motor within the furnace and will reduce any potential contaminants within the air of your home. Third, clean and cover the AC condenser. Much like the air filter inside the furnace system, the AC condenser can become clogged from debris. Cleaning this every spring will help the system run more efficiently. Once the temperature drops and you are no longer using the AC system, covering the condenser will help reduce the amount of debris that may enter the condenser.

Water Heater

If you’re anything like me, after a long day of work, coming home and taking a nice hot shower is wonderful. But, one day you come home, hop in the shower, and BOOM, no hot water! Water heaters are a wonderful invention. In general, most water heaters have a life expectancy of 6-12 years. Thankfully, of the three (3) major appliances in your home (AC Condenser, Furnace, Water Heater), the water heater is generally the least expensive. There are a couple of tell tale signs that your water heater may be on its way out and there are a couple of ways you can help maximize the lifespan of your water heater.

First, a couple signs that your water heater may be needing a replacement. If you find that your water is not as hot as it used to be or you’re running out of hot water faster than you used to. This could mean the heating element in the water heater is starting to lose efficiency. Another indicator is corrosion around the water inlet pipe and/or the base of the water heater. As a water heater ages, seals and gaskets may begin to wear out and lose their ability to seal properly. If you have any concerns about your water heater, contact a plumber for an evaluation of your hot water system.

Now, there are a couple things you can do to help get the maximum lifespan for your water heater. First, draining your water heater every year will help remove any sediment that may have built up in the bottom of the water heater.

Second, make sure your water heater temperature isn’t turned up past what is recommended. When water heats up, it also adds pressure to the tanks and can add undue stress to both the heather element and tank, causing potential premature wear and tear. 

Kitchen Appliances

There is a common phenomenon here in the Midwest of the United States. Garage refrigerators. What seems to often happen is people decide it’s time to update their kitchen appliances, not because one is broken, but because they want the updated look or features. But their old fridge is still working fine, so it’s stuck in the garage to hold extra food and drinks. As you look at homes, there are a couple of life expectancies you can consider. In general, the major three items within your kitchen (refrigerator, stove/range, and dishwasher) currently have a life expectancy of 10 years . There are a lot of factors that contribute a decrease to the life expectancy of any appliance. Some of those factors that can decrease the life expectancy of any kitchen appliance are cleanliness of the appliance. 

A refrigerator needs to have the cooling condenser cleaned on a regular basis (every 2-3 months). Clogged condensers make the internal compressor work harder to cool which can lead to premature failure. An oven/range needs to be thoroughly cleaned both on the interior of the oven and around the burner area. Over time, build up of food, grease, and carbon (gas ranges) can lead to inefficiencies and premature failure of major components in the range. 

The dishwasher is one of the most neglected appliances in the kitchen. It seems reasonable to think that because it is being run and “cleaned” each time it is used, it shouldn’t need maintenance. But, there are a couple things that can be done to help make sure your dishwasher cleans properly and help maximize its life. You may not know, but your dishwasher has a catch filter in the bottom of the tub. This collects all the food debris from your dishes. This needs to be cleaned out regularly. Not cleaning it can not only allow old food debris to collect on your dishes, it can also put undue stress on the dishwasher pump. Cleaning this filter out twice a month is a great way to help your dishwasher work at peak performance. Another often overlooked area of a dishwasher is the rubber seal around the door. Over time debris can build up and can lead to leaking. This could lead to damage to the seal itself and potentially to the cabinetry and/or floor. Wiping this down between loads will help mitigate chances of leaking.

Final Thoughts

The life expectancy of appliances vary and are not exact. Some brands tend to last longer while others may not. I once spoke with an appliance repair technician and their advice was to do lots of research before committing to any purchase. A kitchen suite can be an expensive purchase, so gaining as much knowledge beforehand is always helpful. They also said that generally the more basic the appliance is, the longer it lasts. All the bells and whistles are nice, but they also have electronics that could break and be costly to repair, often to the point where it is more cost effective to replace the whole appliance itself. 

Also, take time to read the owner’s manual of each of your appliances. If you don’t have a copy of them, most are found online in PDF form. Reading their recommended maintenance schedule is super helpful. No appliance in your home is a simple set it and forget it. Maintenance is needed, even if it’s as simple as cleaning a filter or coil. Simple maintenance goes a long way in maximizing your appliances’ life. Here’s something to keep in mind, if it plugs into the wall, it needs to be cleaned in some manner. 

*AC systems are not tested when temperatures drop below 65* for 4 consecutive days. This will be noted in all MHI inspection reports when applicable.