How long do home appliances last?

The main factor that affects how long a home appliance lasts is how often it is used. A washing machine for a family of seven, for example, will not survive as long as one in the home of a senior couple. The quality of the appliance and maintenance is also important. And, of course, sometimes appliances are replaced early, to upgrade and get more features, newer technology, or as part of a remodeling. Here’s our chart with average lifespans, and a listing below it of life expectancy ranges.Clothes Dryer, Gas or Electric - 10 to 16 years, average 14
Dishwasher - 8 to 15 years, average 11
Electric Range - 13 to 18 years, average 15  
Freezer, 12 to 20 years, average 16
Garbage Disposal - 10 to 14 years, average 12
Gas Range - 15 to 22 years, average 18
Microwave Oven - 7 to 9 years, average 8
Refrigerator, Full Size - 10 to 18 years, average 14
Refrigerator, Compact - 6 to 12 years, average 8
Washing Machine - 9 to 16 years, average 12 

Click on any of the underlined appliances above to go to a page with more details.

    Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? for rating of other house components. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Are they actually useful? 

Here’s links to a collection of some of our other blog posts about APPLIANCES: 

• Which house appliances need a dedicated electrical circuit? 

• Is a washing machine drain hose required to be secured at the standpipe?

• When was GFCI-protection for kitchen dishwasher receptacle outlet first required? 

• Why does venting a clothes dryer into a garage, attic, or crawl space cause problems?

• Does a refrigerator water supply line require a shutoff valve behind it? 

• What is the maximum recommended height above the floor for an above-the-range microwave?

• Why would a home have natural gas appliaces but no gas meter? 

• Is a hot water faucet required at a washing machine?

• Can I remove a 240-volt range receptacle and hard-wire the range? 

• Can a dishwasher be wired to a kitchen counter small appliance receptacle circuit?

• Why is it bad to have a clothes dryer vent near an air conditioning condenser (outdoor unit)? 

• Do home inspectors test the appliances?

• What are the most common defects with over-the-range microwaves?

• Are a range and refrigerator required kitchen appliances for a house to pass FHA inspection? 

• What are the code requirements for an outdoor dryer vent cover?

• What is the maximum length for a clothes dryer vent? 

• Why are my ceiling fan blades drooping?

• How do you inspect a dryer vent? 

    Visit our APPLIANCES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. 

NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance.