Here's How Often You Should Really Be Replacing Major Home Appliances

Your home appliances may not come marked with a "use by date," but they have finite lifespans, past which they should be replaced. Being cognizant of such estimates can improve your budgeting, as you can adopt a more planned approach to appliance replacement, rather than taking a major financial hit because they quit on you altogether. Generally, most major home appliances, including fridges, washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and water heaters, become due for a replacement after ten years, give or take a few years. Larger appliances, such as range ovens, HVACs, and heat pumps, can last over 15 years. In contrast, smaller kitchen appliances, like microwaves, toasters, and coffee makers, may be commissioned every five years.

That being said, replacement timelines won't be the same across households. It will vary depending on an appliance's brand, quality, features, and usage frequency. The amount of care and maintenance you subject your devices to will also impact their lifespan. So, how do these factors play out, and what criteria should you use to determine whether it's time to replace your major home appliances? Here's what you should know.

Although most manufacturers recommend replacing home appliances every decade or so, you may be forced to do so sooner if your device dies on you unceremoniously. However, investing in the most trustworthy and reliable appliance brands can generally delay these timelines. That's because they use high-quality components, enabling greater efficiency and fewer repairs over their lifespans. Usage frequencies also affect replacement decisions. For instance, if you prefer takeout and cook infrequently, your range could last longer, since it hasn't undergone much wear and tear. But a household that enjoys hosting guests regularly may have to update its range more often. Similarly, if you're a germophobe and wash your dishes after each meal or do your laundry every day, your dishwasher or washing machine is unlikely to live its expected lifespan.

How you maintain your appliances and whether they receive an ideal home environment also determine calls for replacements. Imagine a water heater forced to function through a sediment buildup because the hard water wasn't drained every six months. Such a machine will be forced to work overtime and eventually break down, requiring immediate replacement. In a similar vein, if you don't deep clean your refrigerator every quarter and it's forced to work with dust-coated condenser coils, it's more likely to break down and require costly repairs. The same goes for appliances subjected to repeated voltage fluctuations or moisture issues.

With so many different factors involved, you might still feel confused about how to proceed with appliance replacement. To make things easier, simply follow the 50% rule. According to it, if the cost to repair your appliance exceeds 50% the replacement cost, retire your appliance. This holds especially true for decade-old appliances, covered in dents and chips that showcase their old age. Difficulty in sourcing components for repairs also signals it's time for an update. Besides, upgrading these outdated appliances will result in better energy efficiency and, by extension, utility and cost savings. To put this into perspective, ENERGY STAR-labeled coolers can be 20% more efficient than their clunky predecessors.

Going forward, be sure to undertake the required maintenance detailed in user manuals to make your appliances last longer. Pay special attention to household appliances that are most likely to break down, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and fridges. In case they frequently go off-balance, make unruly noises, emit smells, or break down, address the cause immediately. Otherwise, these problems will turn into something more serious, cutting short your beloved appliance's life. If you're hesitant about investing in modern appliances because you believe that they aren't built to last, stick to models that offer the necessary features and don't buy a device with a complex design. This is because smart features and fancy displays run on complex circuits, which might improve their efficiency and aesthetics, but are harder to fix and will require more frequent replacements.