Ownership planning
How long do household appliances last?
Use age as context—not as an automatic replace date.
Planning ranges, not promises: There is no universal retirement age for an appliance. These are broad ownership-planning ranges, not manufacturer guarantees or a reason to replace a safe, functional machine.
| Appliance | Broad planning range | What strongly affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | About 8–14 years | Usage cycles, load size, installation, water hardness, maintenance, bearing/seal design. |
| Dishwasher | About 8–12 years | Water hardness, filter care, loading, leak history, pump/heater wear. |
| Tumble dryer | About 10–15 years | Vent/lint care, loading, heat-pump/conventional design, drum/support wear. |
| Refrigerator | About 10–17 years | Ambient temperature, ventilation, door-seal condition, compressor/fan duty cycle. |
| Freezer | About 10–18 years | Ambient conditions, door openings, frost/defrost condition, compressor duty. |
| Oven/range | About 10–18 years | Element/ignition wear, control electronics, cleaning methods, temperature cycling. |
| Microwave | About 7–10 years | Usage, door/interlock wear, cooling, control/magnetron condition. |
| Room/portable AC | About 8–15 years | Climate, filter/coil care, run hours, drainage and compressor duty. |
Age is only one input
Condition, safety history, repair cost, parts availability, efficiency, usage intensity and whether failures are repeating are usually more useful than age alone.
Signs that matter more than the calendar
- Repeated safety-related faults or overheating.
- Multiple major repairs in a short period.
- Structural corrosion, tub/cabinet damage or recurring leaks.
- Unavailable critical parts or unsupported control electronics.
- Repair cost that approaches a sensible replacement budget.