Maintaining your appliances
Replacing home appliances is expensive. And while nothing lasts forever, there are some steps you can take to extend the life of your appliances. Not only will they last longer, you are likely to avoid costly repairs along the way.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators will last about 13 years. One of the best ways to extend the life of your refrigerator is to clean the condenser coils at least twice a year. Dust on the coils causes the condenser to work harder and burn out more quickly.
Washing Machines
Washing machines will last around 10 years, depending on how much you use them. Try to run larger loads instead of a lot of small ones. But don’t overdo it. Overloading a washer can stress the mechanical parts and is one of the leading causes of service calls.
Clothes Dryers
A clothes dryer will last 10 to 15 years but be sure to clean the lint trap after every use. You should also regularly clean lint from the exhaust hose. It will extend the life of the dryer and also prevent fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are 15,000 dryer fires a year, most caused by lint build up.
Dishwashers
A dishwasher will last around nine years. Cleaning the trap and filters can help extended the life of a dishwasher. And don’t use the built-in dish dryer. Let the dishes air dry. This will save wear and tear on the unit and save energy.
Energy Savings
While replacing appliances is expensive there is some good news. Just about every home appliance is more energy efficient now than it was 10 or 20 years ago, so you will likely save money on your electric and heating bills by replacing older appliances.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) estimates that replacing a 10-year-old refrigerator, clothes washer and dishwasher with high efficiency appliances will net the average homeowner savings of $140 a year.