How long do home systems and appliances last?
Pick an item and the year it went in. We'll show you where it stands, so a replacement is something you planned for and not a bad Tuesday.
A LITTLE PLANNING AHEADKnow
what’s next.
what’s next.
Averages for normal wear and regular maintenance, not a prediction or a guarantee. Climate, hard water, heavy use and installation quality all change the picture.
The numbers, item by item
These ranges come from published estimates, mostly the life expectancy chart from InterNACHI, the home inspectors' association. Where sources differ, as they do for water heaters, we show the wider range. Reaching the end of a range doesn't mean something will fail tomorrow. It means it's time to stop being surprised.
Heating and cooling
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace | 15 to 25 | Rising gas bills, uneven rooms, a burner flame that isn't blue, or a furnace that needs repairs every season. |
| Central air conditioner | 7 to 15 | Longer run times, weaker cooling on hot days, and ice on the refrigerant lines. |
| Heat pump | 10 to 15 | Heavy use of backup heat, loud cycling, and higher electric bills than last year. |
Water
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater (tank) | 6 to 15 | Rusty hot water, rumbling from the tank, or any moisture around the base. A leaking tank can't be repaired. |
| Water heater (tankless) | 10 to 20 | Temperature swings, error codes, and scale buildup if it's never been descaled. |
| Sump pump | About 7 | A pump that hums without moving water, or one that runs constantly. Test it before the wet season. |
| Water softener | About 20 | Scale returning on fixtures and salt use that has changed for no clear reason. |
| Faucets | 15 to 20 | Drips that come back after a new cartridge, and corrosion around the base. |
Kitchen
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 9 to 13 | A compressor that never seems to stop, food spoiling early, and frost where it doesn't belong. |
| Dishwasher | About 9 | Dishes coming out gritty after you've cleaned the filter, or water left in the bottom. |
| Gas range | 15 to 17 | Burners that won't light cleanly or a yellow flame. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas company. |
| Electric range | 13 to 15 | Elements that heat unevenly and an oven that no longer holds its temperature. |
| Microwave | About 9 | Food taking longer to heat, sparks, or a door that doesn't close squarely. |
| Garbage disposal | About 12 | Frequent jams, leaks from the bottom of the unit, and a hum with no grinding. |
| Range hood | About 14 | Weak suction after you've cleaned the filter, and a fan that gets louder over time. |
Laundry
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | 5 to 15 | Violent shaking on spin, water left in the drum, and bulging or cracked supply hoses. |
| Clothes dryer | About 13 | Clothes taking longer to dry. Clean the vent first; lint is the usual culprit, and a fire risk. |
Roof and outside
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle roof (3-tab) | About 20 | Curling or missing shingles, and granules collecting in the gutters. |
| Asphalt shingle roof (architectural) | About 30 | Curling or missing shingles, and granules collecting in the gutters. |
| Metal roof | 40 to 80 | Loose fasteners, failing seals at penetrations, and rust at cut edges. |
| Wood shake roof | About 25 | Moss, splitting, and shakes that are thinning or lifting. |
| Aluminum gutters | 20 to 40 | Sagging runs, open seams, and water marks on the fascia behind them. |
| Vinyl gutters | About 25 | Cracks after hard freezes, and joints that have pulled apart. |
| Vinyl siding | About 60 | Warped or loose panels, and damp marks on the wall inside. |
| Wood deck (structure) | 10 to 30 | Soft boards, rust on hangers and bolts, and a ledger board that's pulling away from the house. |
| Composite deck | 8 to 25 | Boards that sag between joists, and the structure underneath, which often ages first. |
Doors and windows
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl or fiberglass windows | 20 to 40 | Fog between the panes, drafts, and sashes that won't stay up. |
| Garage door | 20 to 25 | Bent panels, frayed cables, and rollers that bind. Leave spring repairs to a professional. |
| Garage door opener | 10 to 15 | A door that doesn't reverse when it meets an obstruction. Test that safety feature regularly. |
Inside
| Item | Typical life (years) | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | 8 to 10 | Matted traffic lanes that don't come back after cleaning, and lingering smells. |
| Electrical service panel | About 60 | Breakers that trip often, buzzing, or scorch marks. Call a licensed electrician about any of these. |
| Smoke alarm | About 10 | The date printed on the back. NFPA says to replace every smoke alarm 10 years after its manufacture date, even if it still beeps. |
What to do with the answer
- Plenty of life left: keep up the routine maintenance. It's the thing most likely to get you to the long end of the range.
- In the usual window: find out what a replacement costs and start setting money aside. It's usually cheaper to replace on your schedule than during a breakdown.
- Past the range: it may have years left, but don't count on it. Know who you'd call. For anything that can flood or heat the house, consider replacing it before it fails.
Sources
- InterNACHI, Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes
- U.S. Department of Energy, Building America tankless water heater guide
- ENERGY STAR, When should you replace your water heater?
- ENERGY STAR, Gas tankless water heaters
- NFPA, Smoke alarm safety tips
Homes differ. Your equipment's manual comes first, and it's always fine to call a professional. How we make these guides.
Keep the install dates where you'll find them.
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