Appliance Lifespan & Replacement Calculator
Calculate expected lifespan of home appliances and the breakeven point between repair vs replacement.
Appliance Lifespan Guide
Typical Appliance Lifespans
Average UK lifespan (Which? data): washing machine: 7-11 years. Premium brands (Miele, Bosch high end) reach 15+ years with care. Budget brands (Hoover, Beko) often 5-8 years. Dishwasher: 6-9 years. Tumble dryer: 8-12 years. Heat pump dryers more reliable than vented or condenser. Fridge-freezer: 10-13 years. American-style fridges typically less reliable than upright UK styles. Oven/cooker: 13-18 years. Gas hobs 15-20 years. Microwave: 8-10 years. Vacuum: 5-10 years (corded). 3-5 years (cordles
Repair vs Replace Decision
Rule of thumb: if repair cost is more than 50% of new price AND appliance is past 50% of expected lifespan: REPLACE. If repair cost is below 30% of new AND appliance has 50%+ life remaining: REPAIR. Other factors: energy efficiency — new appliances (A++/A+++ rated) save £100-300/year vs 10-year-old appliances. Significant for fridges and freezers (running 24/7). Spare parts availability: appliances over 10 years old often have discontinued parts. Major repair on old appliance risks further failu
Extending Lifespan
Washing machine: monthly hot wash empty (60-90°C) prevents bacterial buildup. Don't overload. Clean filter and detergent drawer monthly. Use less detergent (most people use 2× too much). Dishwasher: clean filter weekly. Salt and rinse aid maintained. Run hot cycle monthly. Tumble dryer: clean lint filter EVERY load (fire risk if not). Annual professional clean of internal ducts. Fridge: clean condenser coils annually (vacuum behind/below). Don't overload — air must circulate. Don't keep door ope
When to Buy New
Replace immediately if: leaks (washing machine, dishwasher) — water damage costs far exceed repair. Gas leaks (boiler) — emergency. Burning smell (electrical). Anywhere near 1.5× expected lifespan — failures cascade. Best time to buy: black Friday (significant deals 25-40% off). Boxing Day sales. May (start of summer, retailers clearing winter stock). End of model year — usually March-May. Energy ratings (2021 system): A is now the highest. G the lowest. Older A+++ might now be C or D under new
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