Reference
How long do appliances and home systems last?
Typical service life for 27 appliances and systems, from the same reference data the HomeAlmanac app uses to project replacement years.
Every appliance in your house is quietly aging on its own schedule. Knowing the typical lifespan does two things: it tells you when a repair stops being worth it, and it lets you budget for replacements before they become emergencies. The numbers below are widely cited industry averages. Actual life varies with usage, water quality, climate, and, more than anything, maintenance.
Kitchen
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 10 years |
| Freezer | 16 years |
| Garbage disposal | 12 years |
| Microwave | 9 years |
| Range / oven (electric) | 13 years |
| Range / oven (gas) | 15 years |
| Range hood | 14 years |
| Refrigerator | 13 years |
Laundry
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Clothes dryer | 13 years |
| Clothes washer | 11 years |
Plumbing
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Septic system | 30 years |
| Sump pump | 10 years |
| Water heater (tank) | 10 years |
| Water heater (tankless) | 20 years |
| Water softener | 15 years |
| Well pump | 12 years |
Heating & cooling
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Boiler | 20 years |
| Central air conditioner | 15 years |
| Dehumidifier | 8 years |
| Furnace | 18 years |
| Heat pump | 15 years |
| Thermostat | 35 years |
Mechanical
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Garage door | 25 years |
| Garage door opener | 12 years |
| Standby generator | 25 years |
Exterior
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle roof | 20 years |
Safety
| Appliance or system | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Smoke / CO detector | 10 years |
Typical expected service life in years. These are widely cited industry averages for budgeting and planning. Actual life varies with use, maintenance, and quality. Informational only, not a guarantee.
Know your replacement years before they arrive.
Register your appliances in HomeAlmanac and it projects a replacement year for each one, tracks warranties, and watches for safety recalls. Coming soon to the App Store.