Home Improvement Guidelines

When most consumers buy a new home appliance, they usually don’t give too much thought to its expected life span. People are more preoccupied with the model’s functionality or how nice it looks in their kitchen. With 12 years being the average life expectancy of a home appliance, the prospect of having to call an appliance repair service in the foreseeable future seems remote–at least when that appliance is brand new. Everyone knows in the back of their minds that appliance repairs are an inevitable part of home ownership, but the prevailing belief is that the longer that expense can be postponed, the better. Assuming that it is a good-quality appliance brand and doesn’t have any manufacturing defects, a well maintained appliance should provide trouble-free use for several years.

Although some appliances can last for up to 15 years and longer, there are numerous variables affecting when you’re going to need to call in an appliance repair company. Families that do washing on a daily basis, for example, will probably wear out the parts on their washer and dryer faster than those who do laundry once a week. While the typical life span of a washer and dryer are 10 and 13 years, respectively, a washer and dryer repair service will probably be paying at least two visits to your house during that time.

Well-made refrigerators often last 13 or more years, but their round-the-clock operation makes it highly likely that refrigerator repairs will be needed at some point. Even for something as simple as uneven or excessive cooling, calling a refrigerator repair service may be the only way to get the problem resolved. Putting it off is usually not an option because spoiled food can result in unnecessary waste, cost, or even illness. As is the case with most appliance repair needs, the problem–or the symptoms of an impending problem–are often obvious. Whether you’re noticing unusual noises, reduced performance, or a major malfunction, it’s probably time to dust off the phone number of your local appliance repair service to come take a look at your fridge.

If you’re wondering if you’re on “borrowed time” with any of your current household appliances, it depends on a number of factors, including frequency of use, how well the appliances have been maintained, and luck. According to the September 2005 issue of Appliance Magazine, gas ranges typically last for 15 years, which is the longest life expectancy of any home appliance. Standard refrigerators are expected to last around 13 years, and most dishwashers keep chugging away for 9 years. Electric ranges are typically good for 13 years and microwave ovens may call it quits after only 9 years. Mileage may vary, though.

Maria Allen is a writer, a seasoned homeowner, and an Internet marketing specialist for Prospect Genius, an SEO firm offering affordable online advertising for local service providers.

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