“They don’t make ’em like they used to.” It’s a catchphrase, and when your dishwasher breaks for the third time in five years (like it did for me!), it starts to ring painfully true. Come to find out, appliances really aren’t built like they used to be, but that’s not necessarily bad. Energy efficiency, greater tech integration, and modern design have advanced. At times, that comes at the cost of a shorter lifespan. The issue is, who wants to deal with ongoing appliance maintenance problems and frequent replacement because of the shorter lifespan of home appliances?
There are ways you can keep your machines running longer and make smarter choices when buying new. Repair experts — who’ve seen it all — weigh in.
Reasons for More Appliance Maintenance and Shorter Lifespan
Most breakages in major home appliances occur in the eighth year of the appliance’s life, based on the experience of repair specialist Derrick Dennis, owner of RR Appliances in the Cincinnati, Ohio, metro area and host of YouTube appliance fix-it channel “Derrickwith2rs.”
Some experts say shorter appliance lifespans result from culprits including planned obsolescence, cheaper materials, more advanced electronic components, and repair-unfriendly designs. Whatever the reason, the shortened lifespan has ripple effects — not just to your household budget but even when you sell your home one day.
“The age and condition of appliances can 100% affect how a home is received by buyers,” says Charissa Bright, owner and founder of Bright Buys Houses in Georgia, who helps investors, flippers, buyers, and sellers. “I’ve had folks walk into a great house, see a crusty old stove or a dented fridge from the early 2000s, and suddenly they’re thinking, ‘What else hasn’t been updated?’” Those buyers may hesitate or lowball offers because of the added cost that would be needed to repair the appliances, she adds.
Appliance repair pros say appliances aren’t lasting as long because of problems including these:
Appliance Lifespan Challenge 1: Cheaper Materials, More Tech
Older machines used heavy-duty materials like copper, Dennis says. Many units today rely on lighter components and sensitive electronics that can break more easily and cost more to repair.
“Even a basic washing machine today has multiple circuit boards. When I started, those machines were all mechanical,” says Dennis Godynuk, lead appliance expert at Comfort Appliance Repair in Tennessee. “I remember a customer’s fridge display died after two years. Decades ago, that same fridge would’ve run trouble-free for a decade or more.”
Appliance Lifespan Challenge 2: Energy Efficiency Trade-Offs
Efficiency standards also play a role, Godynuk says. “To meet energy guidelines, companies sometimes switch to thinner metals or smaller motors,” he notes. “I saw a dishwasher under warranty start leaking because the pump housing was made too light to save on electricity. It just wasn’t as durable as the old-style pumps.”
Appliance Lifespan Challenge 3: Water Quality
Hard water has shortened appliance longevity, says Martin Chan, owner of AquaZone, a water softener provider in Arizona.
“Hard water has high levels of minerals that can build up inside water-using appliances,” Chan says. “This includes your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater. The buildup can reduce their efficiency and lead to early failure.” He notes that sediment, chlorine, and other impurities can degrade seals and heating elements over time.
Appliance Lifespan Challenge 4: Complexity and User Error
Modern appliances include smart features, touchscreens, and sensors, and many homeowners may not know how to use them properly. “Misuse is common,” Dennis says. “Poor installation, skipped maintenance, and wrong settings cause many breakdowns.”
Appliance Maintenance Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Home Appliances
It sounds obvious, but some of the best advice is to keep things clean and follow the manual. Many homeowners don’t always do that, says Dennis. Read manuals and avoid misusing cycles or settings, he says.
Here are four more tips from repair pros.
Maintenance Tip 1: Clean Your Appliances Regularly
Dust, grease, and grime wear down appliance components. Vacuum the coils beneath the refrigerator. Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use. Run a cleaning cycle on your washer every few months. “I had a homeowner convinced his dryer was on its last legs; [it] turns out the vent was clogged,” Godynuk says. “A quick clean gave him five more years of worry-free drying.”
Maintenance Tip 2: Don’t Overload Appliances
Motors and belts fail faster under excess weight. Overloading the washer is a common mistake, Godynuk says. “Overloading makes motors work harder and belts stretch faster,” he says. “I once saw a family go through a new washer belt every six months because they were cramming it full of bedding. After they cut their loads in half, the belt lasted three years.”
Maintenance Tip 3: Install a Water Softener and Filtration System
“Installing a high-quality water softener and filtration system significantly reduces scale buildup and corrosion,” says Chan. “Flush water heaters annually and clean appliance filters regularly.”
Also, watch the water pressure, says Hendrik Vandepoll, co-owner and field manager at Service Force Plumbing in Rockville, Md. High water pressure —above 80 psi (pound force per square inch) — can destroy hoses, valves. and seals, he says. Most homes should have water pressure set between 70 to 80 psi. He notes homeowners can easily test their water pressure with a gauge that threads onto a hose spigot, costing $10 to $20.
Maintenance Tip 4: Maximize Surge Protection
Help to prevent control board failures by using a surge protector. Power surges can fry control boards instantly, Godynuk says. “I always tell people, ‘Get a whole-home surge protector or, at minimum, plug big appliances into a quality surge strip.’ Last year, I replaced a range control board after a lightning storm. If [the homeowners had] had a surge protector, that board would still be fine.”
Appliance Maintenance: Repair or Replace?
Deciding whether to fix or replace an appliance depends on several factors, such as cost, age, efficiency, and condition. “If fixing it costs more than half the price of a new unit, replace it,” says Godynuk. “A homeowner recently paid $150 to replace dryer rollers on a six-year-old machine. That made sense. But when a 10-year-old fridge needed a $400 control board, I told them, ‘time to buy new.’”
Indeed, if the appliance is over 10 years old, other parts will likely start malfunctioning soon, Godynuk says. Also, factor in long-term savings: “A friend’s 15-year-old range was always breaking. He finally got a new one and saw his power bill drop because the old range was a power hog.” New models usually use 20% to 30% less energy, he adds. “Even if the repair is cheap, a new unit might save you more in the long run.”
Rules for Appliance Maintenance or Repair vs. Appliance Replacement
Here are four basic rules to follow when deciding:
- Cost rule: If a repair costs more than half the price of a new unit, replace it.
- Age rule: Over 10 years old? Other parts will likely fail soon.
- Efficiency factor: Newer models may cut energy bills by 20% to 30%.
- Condition counts: Clean, well-maintained units last longer than neglected ones.
Shop Smarter for Easier Appliance Maintenance and a Longer Home Appliance Lifespan
When replacing an appliance, don’t just shop by price or appearance. The pros advise you to:
- Skip the fancy tech. “Stick to simple models,” says Godynuk. “Less electronics means [there are] fewer things to fail. I helped a couple choose a stove with manual knobs instead of a touchscreen. Ten years later, zero issues.”
- Read the reviews. Focus on customer reviews and repair histories. “Look for reviews that mention longevity,” Godynuk says. “I saw three-star reviews mentioning a fridge’s ice maker dying after 18 months. That’s a red flag you can’t ignore.”
- Do your research. Dennis suggests avoiding aesthetics-only buys and asking an appliance technician for insight. They know what they’re most often called in to repair. “The model matters more than the brand,” he adds.
- Consider warranties. Home appliances sold in the U.S. come with a one-year standard warranty. “My advice when it comes to buying the extended warranty for a home appliance is — absolutely,” Dennis says. He adds that some warranties will provide coverage for seven years. He recommends then considering a home warranty for extra coverage. Also, watch store policies for extra coverage at places where you buy your appliances. For example, “if you’re buying from a retailer like Costco and using their credit card, you may get extended warranties and better service policies included for free.”
The lifespans of home appliances may have shrunk, but with smart usage and proper maintenance, homeowners can still squeeze years of performance from their machines and reduce or avoid repairs. As the pros say: “Stay proactive, buy smart, and treat your appliances like the investments they are.”