How long have you had your dishwasher? If you can’t remember, the answer is too long.
The thing is because appliances are expensive and require installation, people tend to put off replacing ones that don’t work anymore. Despite common thought, this isn’t saving anyone time or money — it just causes headache and hazards.
Why would you hold on to an appliance that you’ve had for decades that isn’t working anymore?
If you are ready to say goodbye to your old junk today, enlist the help of junk removal professionals to take your appliances off of your hands. A junk removal company will make sure your appliances are hauled away stress-free and are disposed of responsibly.
That said, there is a fine line between your appliance needing a small repair and needing to replace it altogether.
According to Curbed, the rule of thumb is that if your repair would cost half as much as a new appliance, it’s more worth it to swap your old appliance out for a new one.
If you are wondering if it’s time to get rid of a household appliance, a typical warning sign is a significant increase in your energy bills. After all, faulty appliances have to work five times as hard to get the job done.
That said, every appliance comes with a projected lifespan. According to Consumer Reports, a National Association of Home Builders study revealed the typical lifespans of your major household appliances.
Keep in mind that these numbers are based on quality appliances — low-quality budget appliances have an even shorter lifespan:
Refrigerator
Lifespan: 9 – 13 Years
It’s worth mentioning that full-sized refrigerators have a longer lifespan than the compact fridge you may keep in your basement or garage. A full-sized refrigerator will last 13 years, while a compact fridge will likely not run longer than 9 years.
Stove
Lifespan: 12-15 Years
While electric stoves tend to last around 13 years or so, gas stoves tend to last a couple of years longer with a lifespan of 15 years. To prolong your stove’s life, clean it after every use and make sure you are diligent about checking your burners.
Dishwasher
Lifespan: 9 Years
You will likely need to replace your dishwasher before you replace any other major household appliance — but considering how draining manually washing dishes can be, it’s worth the investment.
Again, an appliance can only meet its full lifespan if you take care of it properly; that means keeping it clean, including its parts. For example, keeping your dishwasher’s drain clean is integral to its functionality. This appliance tends to build up dirt from your dishes, which is why regular cleaning is essential.
Washing Machine
Lifespan: 10 Years
If you want your washer to reach its full lifespan, make sure you are regularly cleaning your filter, and are diligent about treating and assessing leaks and clogs. When it comes to the point when your washer isn’t spinning properly anymore, it’s time to get a new one.
If you are looking to make your washing machine last, it’s a good idea not to overload or underload the machine — you don’t want to waste energy and water by underfilling it or making it work three times as hard.
Dryer
Lifespan: 13 Years
Dryers tend to last longer than their counterpart, and you can help your dryer reach its full lifespan with regular maintenance that includes keeping its parts lint-free.
Again, like with your washing machine, you want to conserve your dryer— and your home’s — energy by not overloading the machine or underloading it.
If any machine in your home isn’t working, don’t wait too long to replace it. It’ll save you time, money, and the headache.
