How long do major home appliances last?
Most major appliances last 7 to 25 years depending on category, from a 7-10 year microwave to a 15-25 year furnace. The table below lists the published reference lifespan, most common failure point, and typical warranty term ApplianceAgeBook uses as planning-life defaults for each of 11 categories.
| Appliance | Typical lifespan | Common failure point | Typical warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water heater (tank) | 8–12 years | Tank corrosion and leaking; anode rod depletion | Typically 6–12 years on the tank |
| Water heater (tankless) | 15–20 years | Scale buildup on the heat exchanger; igniter failure | Typically 10–15 years on the heat exchanger |
| Refrigerator | 10–18 years | Compressor failure; door seal wear; evaporator fan noise | Typically 1 year full, 5–10 years on the sealed system |
| Dishwasher | 9–13 years | Pump and motor wear; door latch and seal failure | Typically 1–2 years |
| Clothes washer | 10–14 years | Bearing and seal wear; suspension and pump failure | Typically 1 year, longer on some drive components |
| Clothes dryer | 10–15 years | Heating element or igniter failure; belt and drum roller wear | Typically 1 year |
| HVAC furnace | 15–25 years | Heat exchanger cracking; igniter and blower motor failure | Typically 10–20 years on the heat exchanger |
| Central air conditioner | 12–17 years | Compressor and refrigerant leaks; capacitor failure | Typically 5–10 years on parts |
| Garbage disposal | 8–12 years | Motor burnout; jamming and blade wear | Typically 1–4 years |
| Range / oven | 13–18 years | Igniter or heating element failure; control board issues | Typically 1 year |
| Microwave | 7–10 years | Magnetron wear; door switch failure | Typically 1 year |
Frequently asked questions
- Does a longer typical lifespan mean my unit is safe?
- No. Age and model identity cannot establish safety. Use the ApplianceAgeBook inspection workspace to record actual observations, evidence, and severity instead of relying on age alone.
- Are these figures a guarantee for my specific unit?
- No. These are general published reference ranges by category, not a model-specific lookup. Verify against the manufacturer's own documentation.