Average Life Expectancies for Appliances, Mechanical Systems and Building Materials
The following tables show average life expectancies for various common residential appliances, mechanical systems and an assortment of interior, as well as exterior building materials. Care, routine maintenance, quality and proper installation also play big roles in performance and longevity.
| Appliance | Years |
|---|---|
| Microwave oven | 10 |
| Garbage disposal | 10-12 |
| Trash compactor* | 10 |
| Water heater, gas* | 15 |
| Water heater, electric* | 13-14 |
| Water heater, tankless (on demand)* | 20+ |
| Smoke detectors (check expiration date) | 10 |
| Carbon Monoxide Detectors (check expiration date) | 5 |
| Refrigerator, side by side & top mount | 14 |
| Refrigerator, bottom mount | 17 |
| Refrigerator, single door | 19 |
| Refrigerator, compact (dorm type) | 5 |
| Washing machine, top load | 14 |
| Washing machine, front load | 11 |
| Dryer | 13 |
| Range, electric | 17 |
| Range, gas | 19 |
| Dishwasher* | 10 |
| Cooktops | 13-20 |
| Air Conditioner (room size) | 5-10 |
| * assuming a neutral (7.0) pH water supply | |
| Mechanical Systems | |
| Air conditioning compressor | 15 |
| Forced air furnace, heat pump | 15 |
| Baseboard electric heat systems | 18 |
| Plumbing, waste piping | 75 |
| Hot-Water Boiler (steel) | 25 -35 |
| Hot-Water Boiler (cast iron) | 40 – 50 |
| Water Pump* | 8-10 |
| Water Softener* | 20 |
| Interior Materials | |
| Carpeting | 11 |
| Interior Paint | 7 – 10 |
| Vinyl Floor | 20 – 30 |
| Wood Floor | 100+ |
| Bathroom fixtures, porcelain and cast iron | 50 |
| Fiberglass tub/showers | 10-15 |
| Kitchen cabinets (particle board and laminates) | 15-20 |
| Kitchen cabinets, solid wood and plywood construction | 20-50 |
| Counters, Tile | 50+ |
| Counters, Laminate | 10-15 |
| Counters, Wood | 20+ |
| Counters, Granite | 20+ |
| Exterior Materials | |
| Aluminum Siding | 20 – 50 |
| Exterior Deck | 15 |
| Exterior Paint | 7 – 10 |
| Garage Door | 20 – 50 |
| Garage Door Opener | 10 |
| Roofing, Composition | 20 |
| Roofing, Architectural (like Timberline) | 17 – 25 |
| Roofing, wood shingles | 20 – 30 |
| Roofing, Tile | 50 |
| Veneer (Brick, Stone) | 100+ |
| Vinyl Siding | 50 |
| Wood Siding | 10 – 100 |
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