How Long Do Appliances Last? Lifespans for Every Major Appliance

How long do appliances last? Most major appliances last 8 to 15 years, and some built-ins go longer. Refrigerators typically run 10 to 14 years, washers 8 to 12, dryers 12 to 15, dishwashers 9 to 12, ranges 13 to 15 and garbage disposals 8 to 12. Care, brand and climate move those numbers, and Florida's climate is hard on appliances.

How long do appliances last? Typical lifespans

These are typical ranges:

• Refrigerator: 10 to 14 years. Built-in units such as Sub-Zero often 18 to 20.
• Washer: 8 to 12 years. Front-loaders toward the lower end.
• Dryer: 12 to 15 years.
• Dishwasher: 9 to 12 years. Bosch, KitchenAid and Miele often longer.
• Range or cooktop: 13 to 15 years.
• Wall oven: 15 years or more.
• Garbage disposal: 8 to 12 years.

We do not publish a lifespan for microwaves. A countertop model is usually cheaper to replace than to repair, while over-the-range and built-in units are usually worth fixing; see is it worth repairing a microwave.

How long does a refrigerator last?

Typically 10 to 14 years. ENERGY STAR figures its savings over a 12-year refrigerator lifetime, right in the middle of that range. Fans, defrost parts and start relays wear out first, and all are repairable; the compressor usually outlasts them. To reach the top of the range, clean the condenser coils twice a year, keep the door gaskets sealing, and give a garage refrigerator shade and clearance. Our guide to why your fridge is not cooling shows how to clean the coils, and is it worth repairing a refrigerator covers the repair decision.

How long does a washer last?

Typically 8 to 12 years, with front-loaders at the lower end. Drain pumps, door locks and belts wear out first and are routine repairs; worn tub bearings are the failure that usually ends a washer's life. Leave a front-load door open between loads, clean the pump filter monthly, use HE detergent sparingly, and keep the machine level. See washer smells like mildew and is it worth repairing a washing machine.

How long does a dryer last?

Typically 12 to 15 years. Dryers are simple machines: belts, rollers, idler pulleys and thermal fuses wear out, and all are inexpensive to replace. The main enemy is lint. Clean the lint screen every load, and have the vent duct cleaned every one to two years, and more often for a long run through the attic or to the roof. A clogged vent makes the dryer run hot and long and is a fire hazard; see dryer takes forever to dry. Every dryer repair we do includes a vent airflow check.

How long does a dishwasher last?

Typically 9 to 12 years, and Bosch, KitchenAid and Miele often last longer. Pumps, latches and inlet valves are the usual repairs; a cracked tub cannot be repaired. Clean the filter monthly and use rinse aid. See dishwasher not cleaning dishes for the filter routine.

How long does a range last?

A range or cooktop typically lasts 13 to 15 years, and a wall oven 15 years or more. Igniters, elements, sensors and switches are the usual repairs, and they are worth doing. Self-clean cycles are hard on thermal fuses and door locks, so use them sparingly; see oven door locked after self-clean. Near the Beaches, keep gas igniters clean and dry.

How long does a garbage disposal last?

Typically 8 to 12 years. Run cold water while it grinds, feed food in gradually, and keep grease out of the drain. A disposal leaking from the bottom is not repairable and needs replacing; for a jam or a hum, see garbage disposal humming but not working.

Do new appliances last as long as old ones?

Newer appliances carry more electronics, from control boards to sensors, which means more parts that can fail, and a power surge has more to damage. That is not a reason to avoid buying new, but it is a reason not to replace a well-built appliance just because of its age. A solid ten-year-old dishwasher with a new pump can outlast a bargain new one.

What shortens appliance life in Florida

• Humidity. Humid air makes dust stick to refrigerator coils, feeds mold in front-load washers and dishwashers, and slips past worn door gaskets.
• Salt air. Near the Beaches, salt corrodes igniters, burner parts and exposed metal faster than inland.
• Power surges. Storms bring lightning and outages, and Ready.gov warns that power can return with surges or spikes that damage appliances. Control boards take the hit.
• Hard or sandy water. JEA draws its water from the Floridan aquifer, rates every ZIP code in its hardness table as hard or very hard, and notes that hard water leaves spots and scale. Sand from private wells clogs washer inlet screens.
• Heat. A refrigerator or freezer in a Florida garage works at its limit all summer.

Our Florida maintenance checklist covers each of these, including why a whole-house surge protector is worth it.

Signs an appliance is near the end

• Repairs are coming close together, and the next quote is a big one.
• Rust through a cabinet or tub, or a cracked dishwasher tub.
• A refrigerator over 8 years old with a failed compressor or sealed-system leak.
• A front-load washer over 8 years old that roars on spin, which points to the tub bearings.
• Parts for the model are discontinued.
• It is past the top of its typical range and running poorly.

The 50% rule

If a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance, and the appliance is past the midpoint of its expected life, replace it. If either condition is not met, repair it. Our repair-or-replace guide covers the failures that tip the decision.

What a repair costs

The diagnostic is $79 on standard appliances and $119 on built-in refrigerators, wall ovens and combos, waived when you approve the repair. Repairs start at $179 plus parts, or $249 plus parts on built-in ovens and combos, with a written flat-rate estimate first and a 90-day parts-and-labor warranty. See our pricing and our appliance repair cost guide.

Schedule refrigerator repair, washer repair or dishwasher repair, or call (904) 561-4790 for same-day service across Jacksonville & the First Coast.