Appliance Care

How Long Do Major Appliances Actually Last?

If you're wondering whether an appliance is due for a repair or nearing the end of its life, industry-average lifespans are a useful starting point — just not a guarantee for any single unit.

Average Lifespans by Appliance

• Refrigerators: around 10-13 years
• Washers: around 10-12 years
• Dryers: around 10-13 years
• Dishwashers: around 9-10 years
• Ranges and ovens: around 13-15 years, with gas ranges tending to outlast electric ones slightly

What Shortens These Numbers

Two things pull appliances below their average lifespan regardless of brand. The first is skipping basic maintenance — a dryer vent that's never cleaned, fridge coils caked in dust, a dishwasher filter nobody's pulled out in years. The second is hard water, which accelerates wear on washers and dishwashers and is a real factor across homes in Greater Victoria on municipal water.

Averages Aren't a Countdown Timer

None of these figures mean an appliance is guaranteed to fail once it hits a certain age. Plenty of units run well past average with basic care, and some fail early because of a manufacturing defect or unusually heavy use. Age is one data point among several when you're deciding whether a repair makes sense.

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