Household electrical appliances are an integral part of your home, and it would be difficult to imagine a life without them. They not only offer much-needed convenience and comfort but equally serve as a great source of entertainment. However, despite their huge importance, household electrical appliances do not always last forever. Even with regular electrical service and maintenance, the appliances will inevitably get old and deteriorate in functionality.
Knowing the lifespan of your home electrical appliances is highly important because it will help you to make a well-informed decision regarding whether to fix or replace the damaged device. If you intend to replace a budget-friendly device you had earlier purchased, you will always be disturbed by the feeling of having enjoyed your money’s worth. It is also imperative to note that electrical appliances will only last the longest when you follow your manufacturers operational and care instructions. Many people usually neglect the more detailed aspects of the maintenance and servicing process, and this, in one way or another, results in the shorter appliance lifespan.
So, how long can you expect your electrical devices to serve you provided you are taking great care of them? Continue with your reading and get to know.
First and foremost, it’s worth noting that the appliance service lifespan varies significantly. Research has indicated that the thermostat is arguably the longest-serving home electrical appliance. When correctly maintained and properly serviced routinely, this important device can do the job for at least 35 years. On the other hand, the heating and the cooling unit it controls will offer you between 15 and 20 years of service, depending on the fuel it runs on. In regard, gas-powered furnaces tend to last longer than their electric-powered counterparts. Below is a comprehensive list of home electric appliances together with their average life expectancies in years.
- Room air conditioners – 10 years
- Central air conditioners – 15 years
- Electric-powered boilers – 13 years
- Gas-powered boilers – 21 years
- Compactors – 6 years
- Dishwashers – 9 years
- Dehumidifiers – 8 years
- Dryers – 13 years
- Electric warm-air furnaces – 15 years
- Gas warm-air furnaces – 18 years
- Water heaters – 10 years
- Washing machines – 10 years
- Tankless water heaters – Over 20 years
- Thermostats – 35 years
- Compact refrigerators – 9 years
- Regular refrigerators – 13 years
- Microwave ovens – 9 years
- Range/ Oven hoods – 14 years
- Electric ranges – 13 years
- Gas ranges – 15 years
- Oil warm-air furnaces – 20 years
- LCD TVs – 3-12 years
- Vacuum cleaners – 3-10 years
- Laptops and desktop computers – 8 years
- Mobile phones – 3-6 years
It is important to keep in mind that these are just approximate figures. Nothing is perfect. Also, you should know that your average refrigerator, dishwasher, dryer, laptops, desktop computers, heating, and cooling units, as well as any other typical electrical appliance, are equipped with very many smaller sub-parts that can always malfunction or get damaged at any given time. Whether or not a damaged component results in a chain of damages that necessitate appliance replacement is partly a matter of probability. As we previously mentioned, homeowners can significantly reduce this probability factor purchasing quality electrical products and practising good maintenance procedures as instructed by the manufacturer.
Just as routine maintenance keeps your car in peak condition, adding those extra miles to your journey, regular maintenance of your home electrical appliances such as refrigerators, dryers, HVAC units, and furnaces can add lots of years of unrivalled service to these devices. This only implies that you’ll have to consult your local electrician or appliance technician to regularly examine, service and maintain your electrical devices. This will not only help determine potential costly repairs but will also help keep these devices in tip-top condition and extend their lifespan.
