Do you know how long your fridge/freezer should last? For how many years should you expect your washing machine and dishwasher to function? And when do you need to start thinking of replacing your aluminium windows?
Appliances are often replaced long before they need to be because styling, technology, and consumer preferences make newer products more desirable and efficient.
Life expectancy
To effectively manage your household budget, it helps to know the average life expectancy of appliances and parts of your home. Knowing this will enable you to budget timeously for replacements.
Many factors influence how long these appliances last, including how often they are used, maintenance schedules and environmental factors.
Of the major home appliances, gas hobs have the longest life expectancy - 15 years. Fridge/freezers and tumble driers last about 13 years, and dishwashers and microwave ovens last about nine years.
Ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems require proper and regular maintenance to work efficiently, and most components last 15 to 25 years. For example, heat pumps last about 16 years, and electric or gas hot water cylinders have a life expectancy of about ten years.
Garage door openers are expected to last ten to fifteen years.
Aluminium windows can be expected to last between 15 and 20 years, whereas if well-maintained, wooden windows should last more than 30 years.
Kitchen and bathroom
Good quality kitchen sinks can last a lifetime, but kitchen taps generally work correctly for about fifteen years.
Bathroom shower enclosures have an average life expectancy of 50 years.
Showerheads last a lifetime, but shower doors only last about 20 years.
Good quality bathtubs can last 50 years or more but may need resurfacing from time to time depending on use.
Spa baths will function properly for 20 to 50 years, depending on use.
Toilets have an unlimited lifespan, but the cistern components require maintenance after a few years.
Kitchen cabinets have a life expectancy of up to 30 years, and bedroom cupboards, bathroom cabinets and medicine cabinets for about 20 years.
Stone and wood
Masonry is one of the most durable components of a home. Fireplaces, chimneys and brick veneers can last a lifetime, and brick walls have an average life expectancy of more than 100 years.
Natural stone countertops are less expensive than a few years ago, so they are becoming more popular. In addition, they are expected to last a lifetime, whereas engineered stone countertops have a life expectancy of about 20 years.
One hundred years or more is the life expectancy of natural wood flooring. Slate, marble and granite are also expected to last for about 100 years, but only if they are correctly cared for.
Vinyl floors can last up to fifty years and carpeting from to ten years - with appropriate maintenance and regular traffic.
Technology
A wide range of products is covered by home technology with varying life expectancies.
Lighting controls and electrical accessories are expected to last ten or more years.
Copper plated wiring, copper clad aluminium, and bare copper wiring are expected to last a lifetime.
A built-in audio-visual system should last about 20 years.
Heat/smoke detectors and security systems have life expectancies of five to ten years.
Home automation systems and wireless home networks are expected to work correctly for more than 50 years. However, many homeowners prefer to install replacement systems to keep pace with new technologies.
Outdoors
Many landscaping elements have a life expectancy of fifteen to twenty-five years.
Irrigation sprinklers and valves last about 20 years, whereas underground PVC piping has a lifespan of twenty-five years.
Asphalt driveways should last between fifteen to twenty years, and polyvinyl fences are designed to last a lifetime.
Whether it's indoors or outdoors, the best way to ensure your appliances and parts of your house don’t age prematurely is to perform regular maintenance. Have appliances checked periodically by an appliance repair expert to ensure they are not past their sell-by date.
