How Long Do Appliances Last?
by the Berry team · Updated
Most major home appliances last somewhere around 8 to 15 years, with ranges and refrigerators often at the longer end and dishwashers and microwaves at the shorter end. How you use and maintain them moves those numbers a lot, so treat any lifespan as a planning range, not a deadline.
Typical lifespans and what they cost to repair or replace
Lifespans are common planning ranges, not guarantees. Repair costs are a typical single repair with a technician, and replacement is a mid-range model installed. See repair or replace for how to decide.
| Appliance | Typical lifespan | DIY cost | Pro cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Often 10 to 15 years. Compressor and sealed system failures are the usual end. | DIY$0-$20 to clean coils, $20-$100 for many parts | Pro$150-$450 typical repair, $1,000-$3,000+ to replace |
| Dishwasher | Often 9 to 12 years. Pumps, control boards, and rusted tubs or racks are common ends. | DIY$0 to clean the filter, $30-$100 for many parts | Pro$150-$350 typical repair, $500-$1,500 to replace |
| Washing machine | Often 10 to 14 years. Bearings, transmissions, and control boards are common ends. | DIY$15-$80 for belts, switches, and couplers | Pro$150-$400 typical repair, $600-$1,500 to replace |
| Clothes dryer | Often 10 to 13 years. Usually repairable for a long time since parts are simple. | DIY$10-$100 for fuses, elements, belts, and igniters | Pro$150-$350 typical repair, $500-$1,400 to replace |
| Range or oven | Often 13 to 15 years or more. Gas ranges frequently outlast electric ones. | DIY$20-$80 for elements, igniters, and sensors | Pro$150-$350 typical repair, $600-$2,500 to replace |
| Over-the-range microwave | Often 7 to 10 years. Usually replaced rather than repaired. | DIYNot worth repairing in most cases | Pro$300-$900 to replace, installed |
| Garbage disposal | Often 8 to 15 years, if you have one. Sealed units, rarely worth repairing once the motor or bearings fail. | DIY$100-$350 for a new unit, if you install it | Pro$250-$600 installed |
| Tank water heater | Often 8 to 12 years, if you have one. Water quality and maintenance move this a lot. | DIYNot a DIY job | Pro$1,200-$3,000 to replace |
Ranges are typical US prices and vary with your region, your home, and the season. A pro quote for your exact job beats any range.
How to find an appliance's age
Every major appliance has a rating plate with a model and serial number. Many manufacturers encode the manufacture date in the serial number, often as a letter or digits for the year and month. The code differs by brand, so search the brand name plus "serial number date code," or call the manufacturer with the serial number.
- Refrigerator: inside the fresh food section on a side wall, under the crisper drawers, or behind the kick plate at the bottom.
- Dishwasher: on the edge of the door or the tub frame, visible when the door is open.
- Washer: under the lid, on the back panel, or inside the door frame on front loaders.
- Dryer: inside the door opening or on the back panel.
- Range: behind the storage or broiler drawer, or on the frame when the oven door is open.
- Microwave: inside the door frame or on the back.
What makes appliances last longer
Refrigerator. Vacuum the condenser coils once or twice a year, keep the door gaskets clean, and leave space behind it for air. If it has a water filter, change it on schedule. See why a fridge stops cooling.
Dishwasher. Clean the filter every month or two, scrape plates instead of rinsing them spotless, and run hot water at the sink before starting a cycle. See why a dishwasher smells.
Washer. Do not overload it, use the right amount of the right detergent, and leave a front loader's door open to dry. Replace supply hoses about every five years.
Dryer. Clean the lint screen every load and the vent once a year. A clogged vent is one of the main reasons dryers stop heating and wear out early. See why a dryer is not heating.
Range. Wipe spills before they bake on, and be cautious with the self-clean cycle on older ovens, since the very high heat can be hard on electronics and fuses.
Signs one is near the end
- It needs a second significant repair within a year or two.
- The repair quote is a large share of what a new one costs, and the appliance is past the middle of its range.
- Parts are discontinued or on long back order.
- Rust is coming through the cabinet, the tub, or the dishwasher racks.
- A refrigerator runs constantly and the electric bill has crept up, or a newer model would use much less energy.
- There is any burning smell, scorching, or sparking. Unplug it and stop using it until it is checked.
Planning ahead
If several appliances were installed at the same time, as in many newer homes, they tend to reach the end of their ranges together. Knowing their ages lets you replace one at a time on sale instead of several in an emergency. When one does fail, check whether it is still under the manufacturer warranty, an extended warranty, a home warranty, or a credit card purchase protection plan before paying for the repair.
When to call a pro
- An appliance trips a breaker, sparks, smells like burning, or scorches anything. Unplug it first.
- You smell gas near a gas range or dryer. Leave the house and call your gas company from outside.
- A refrigerator stops cooling and the coils, fans, and settings check out.
- Water is leaking from a washer, dishwasher, or fridge water line and you cannot find the source.
- You need an expert opinion on whether an older appliance is worth repairing.
What makes it worse if you wait
- An appliance that is failing slowly, like a fridge that runs warm or a washer that leaks a little, can spoil food or damage floors before it quits entirely.
- Replacing an appliance in an emergency usually means paying full price for whatever is in stock.
- Clogged dryer vents and dirty fridge coils make appliances work harder every day, which shortens their lives and raises energy bills.
Common questions
How long does a refrigerator last?
Often around 10 to 15 years. Cleaning the condenser coils, keeping door gaskets sealing, and leaving room for airflow help it reach the longer end. Compressor or sealed system failures on an older fridge usually mean replacement.
Which appliances last the longest?
Ranges and ovens, especially gas models, and refrigerators tend to last the longest, often well over a decade. Microwaves and dishwashers tend to have the shortest lives among major kitchen appliances.
How can I tell how old my appliance is?
Find the rating plate with the model and serial number. Many brands encode the manufacture date in the serial number. Search the brand plus "serial number date code" or call the manufacturer.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old appliance?
Sometimes. A cheap part like a dryer belt or dishwasher pump is often worth fixing. A major repair, like a refrigerator compressor or washer transmission, on an appliance near the end of its typical range usually is not. A common rule of thumb is to replace when the repair costs more than about half the price of a new one.
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Keep reading
- Should You Repair or Replace an Appliance?How to decide whether to repair or replace a fridge, washer, dryer, dishwasher, or range, using age, repair cost, and the 50 percent rule of thumb.
- Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?Why a refrigerator stops cooling while the freezer still works, or both go warm, what to check first, and what coil, fan, defrost, and compressor repairs cost.
- Why Is My Dryer Not Heating?Why an electric or gas dryer tumbles but will not heat, the breaker and vent checks to do first, and what thermal fuse, element, and igniter repairs cost.
- Appliance Maintenance: What to Do, How Often, and What It CostsThe full appliances guide hub.