Household appliances are necessities as they make our lives easier at home. That is why it can be frustrating when any of them break down. The cost of repairing or replacement is one thing any homeowner will prefer to do away with.

Although home appliances usually need repairs due to wear and tear from usage, sometimes, it is caused by neglect of maintenance, among other factors.

When well managed, an appliance is sure to last long, but if used without proper maintenance or repairs, you may need to replace them occasionally. It is no news that replacing an appliance is more expensive than maintaining or repairing it.

Common household appliances and their average lifespan

  • Air conditioners – 15 to 20 years
  • Dishwashers – 10 years
  • Clothes dryers – 10 – 13 years
  • Electric fans – 3 to 5 years
  • Freezers – 11 to 20 years
  • Refrigerators – 10 to 20 years
  • Kitchen stoves – 13 to 15 years
  • Water heaters – 8 to 12 years
  • Washing machines – 10 years
  • Trash compactors – 6 years
  • Microwaves – 7 years
  • Ovens – 13 to 15 years
  • Air fryer – 3 years
  • Coffee maker – 5 to 10 years
  • Blender – 3 to 10 years
  • Vacuum cleaner – 8 years
  • Smoke detector – 10 years
  • Mixers – 10 to 20 years
  • Toaster – 6 to 8 years
  • Televisions – 4 to 10 years

Tips to prolong the life of your appliances

Home appliances are prone to develop faults, and repairing them on time can help reduce complications and improve the appliance’s life span. This may be expensive, especially if you have a lot of appliances at home.

With a warranty for appliances, you can significantly reduce your expenses and also be assured of getting a competent technician to fix your appliances.

A warranty for appliances is a contract that covers the repair and replacement of household appliances. Whenever your appliance develops a fault, you will only need to contact the company, and a certified repairman will be sent over.

Aside from timely repairing of faulty home appliances, below are other ways to prolong the life of your household appliances;

Regular cleaning

Regular cleaning of your home appliances can make them last longer depending on the frequency of usage.

Even when your schedule does not permit, a once-a-month cleaning is recommended.

This is important because if not removed over time, grease, dirt, debris, and other contaminants can corrode the substrate of the appliances’ metal and invariably destroy it.

Aside from making your appliances last longer, regular cleaning gives the appliances a better look too.

Avoiding over usage

Appliances are usually designed to last based on usage frequency. Switch off an appliance if not in use.

Some homeowners who prefer to return to a cool room may always leave their AC on, even when not at home.

This can make the AC age quickly and result in wear which may require frequent repairs and eventually need replacement.

Regular maintenance and on-time repair

Home appliances like air conditioners, dishwashers, and washing machines require scheduled maintenance. 

Air conditioner

AC requires a routine check at least once a year, but if you use it most time of the day, this should be done twice annually.

The filters, coils, and fins are some things that need regular maintenance for optimal performance of the AC unit.

Neglecting the maintenance of these things can make the AC overwork itself to ensure the circulation of cool air in the room. This can increase the amount of energy consumed.

Dishwasher

For the effective performance of your dishwasher, it is recommended to have the filters cleaned at least once in a few months. 

Food and grease, if not removed, can clog the dishwasher’s filters. Also, if you do not get rid of them, they can build up to form germs in the dishwasher.

Oven

Both the interior and exterior of an oven need to be cleaned. You may not clean it after every usage, but ensure it is thoroughly cleaned at least once in a year.

Grease and burnt food inside the oven over time will reduce the oven’s efficiency. The smell of residual grease and burnt food may also affect the new meal.

Refrigerator

The refrigerator is one of the most powered appliances in homes. It works 24 hours every week.

Proper and regular maintenance of the refrigerator can prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Regularly clean the fridge to get rid of spills and food debris. A damn cloth or sponge can be used to wipe up any spill immediately after it happens.

A thorough cleaning every three months is recommended. Whenever you notice dirt in the refrigerator, it might be time to clean it. 

Dirt can keep the fridge door from closing properly, forcing the fridge to overwork its motors.