Home appliance guides
One page per common home appliance: how long it typically lasts, what to do each season, the signs it needs replacing, the usual manufacturer warranty and the paperwork worth keeping. Figures come from public sources named on each page, and they are ranges, not promises.
Kitchen
- Refrigerator: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
- Freezer: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
- Dishwasher: typical lifespan 8 to 12 years
- Oven or range: typical lifespan 12 to 16 years
- Microwave: typical lifespan 7 to 10 years
- Range hood: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
- Garbage disposal: typical lifespan 8 to 15 years
Laundry
- Washing machine: typical lifespan 10 to 13 years
- Clothes dryer: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
Heating, cooling and water
- Water heater: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
- Tankless water heater: typical lifespan 15 to 25 years
- Furnace: typical lifespan 15 to 20 years
- Central air conditioner: typical lifespan 12 to 20 years
- Heat pump: typical lifespan 12 to 17 years
- Window air conditioner: typical lifespan 8 to 12 years
- Dehumidifier: typical lifespan 5 to 10 years
- Humidifier: typical lifespan 5 to 10 years
- Sump pump: typical lifespan 7 to 12 years
- Water softener: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
Safety and household
- Smoke alarm: typical lifespan 10 years
- Carbon monoxide alarm: typical lifespan 5 to 10 years
- Garage door opener: typical lifespan 10 to 15 years
- Bathroom exhaust fan: typical lifespan 8 to 15 years
- Solar panel system: typical lifespan 25 to 30 years
Common questions
How long do home appliances last?
It varies by type. Refrigerators, dryers and ranges are commonly given about 10 to 15 years, dishwashers and microwaves under 10 to 12, and furnaces and central air about 15 to 20. The National Association of Home Builders life expectancy study and the Department of Energy are common sources, and each guide here lists its own.
What paperwork should I keep for an appliance?
Keep the receipt or order confirmation, the model and serial number, the manual and any warranty registration confirmation. Service invoices and installation records are useful when you claim on a warranty or sell the home.
What is the best way to track appliance warranties?
Record the purchase date, the warranty length and the model and serial number in one place, with a reminder before coverage ends. A spreadsheet works, and an app such as Pamkit can do it with a photo of the appliance and keep the receipt and manual with it.
Does every appliance come with a manufacturer warranty?
New major appliances generally come with one. A limited one-year warranty on parts and labor is common, and some parts carry longer coverage. Federal law requires written warranty terms to be available to read before you buy, so ask for them or look on the maker's site.
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