When should I repair or replace appliances?

It’s often hard to know when you should repair or replace your appliances. Because you use these appliances every day, they go through normal wear and tear and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Even with the best care and maintenance, most appliances won’t function well, if at all, after their recommended lifespan.

24 May 2021

Sometimes it’s difficult to know if something needs replacing or if it simply needs a quick repair. So, we have put together a list of how long your household appliances should last, and when it might be time to update them.

Photograph of Swan grey retro fridge next to a grey retro bin in a fitted kitchen

Refrigerator

Lifespan: 10-20 years

Fridges are an absolute necessity in every home, so you don’t want yours to be acting up anytime soon. Thankfully, they have a pretty long lifespan so you won’t need to shell out to replace it often. According to Best Life, the average lifespan of a refrigerator is approximately 10 to 20 years. This can, of course, vary depending on the type of fridge.

Signs to look out for:

Food spoiling prematurely
Condensation on the inside or outside of the fridge
Overheating – the back of the fridge is hot to touch
Leaking

If you start to notice any of these signs, you may need to either repair or replace your refrigerator. Refrigerator repairs can get pricey and if your appliance is very old it could make more financial sense to replace it instead. If it’s about time you replace your old refrigerator why not take a look at our range of cost-effective and energy-efficient refrigerators? We have a wide range of sizes and styles to suit every home.

Freezer

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Your freezer should last you for well over a decade so long as you care for it properly. A freezer has to work a lot harder to cool than a refrigerator, which is why they have a slightly shorter lifespan.

Signs to look out for:

A build-up of frost
Overheating – the back is hot to touch
Leaking

If you use your freezer often and it keeps playing up it could be time to buy a replacement. If you’ve had your fridge and freezer for longer than you can even remember, why not treat yourself to a new matching set? Or if you’re lacking space and want to save money, try a combined fridge-freezer.

Image of a man frying vegetables on a stove

Stove and Oven

Lifespan: 13-15 years

How long your stove/oven range lasts depends upon whether it’s gas or electric. Gas ranges last around 15 years, whilst electric ranges aren’t far behind them at approximately 13 years. The key to making sure you get the most out of your stove and oven is making sure it’s well maintained. Make sure you clean it regularly, especially if you have a gas range, to ensure it’s working properly and prevent the build-up of grease, which can cause fires. If your range is getting old and acting up, you may want to consider replacing it. Especially if a repair would add up to more than 50% of the cost of a new one.

Microwave

Lifespan: 9 years

Microwaves have an impressively long lifespan considering they are one of the cheaper home appliances. With a lifespan of around 9 years, your trusty microwave should keep pinging for the best part of a decade. To get the most out of your microwave, ensure you keep it clean both inside and out and keep the door closed properly. But don’t slam it! If your microwave is getting on a bit and looking slightly worse for wear, consider treating yourself to a new one. Check out our range of microwaves, we have a style to suit every home.

Dishwasher

Lifespan: 7-12 years

If you have had a dishwasher for a while you probably (like us) can’t imagine having to go back to washing dishes by hand. It’s so time-consuming and – let’s be honest – pretty boring. So, it may be useful to know that your dishwasher should last around 7 to 12 years. To get the most out of your dishwasher ensure you clean the filters and seals regularly and keep it clear of food and debris.

Signs to look out for:

Your dishes come out dirty or spotted
Loud banging noises
Leaks or water pooling at the bottom of the dishwasher
Water temperature doesn’t heat up
The door won’t latch
The dishwasher stops before the cycle is finished

Whilst some issues may be able to be repaired, if your dishwasher is a decade old or more, it could be time to upgrade.

Toaster

Lifespan: 5 years

A toaster is a breakfast essential for every home. Many of us use our toasters every single morning, sometimes multiple times depending on the size of your family. So, it could be very disappointing if one morning your toaster just gives in and you have to go to work hungry. On average, a toaster lasts around 5 years, according to Which?. To ensure you get the most out of your toaster keep it clean and empty the crumb tray regularly. If your toaster is starting to smell funny, sparking or not toasting your bread properly it could be time to look for a new one.

Vacuum

Lifespan: 8 years

A survey by Consumer Reports found that most vacuums last around 8 years, but this can vary depending on the make and model. To ensure your vacuum keeps on sucking up all your dust, dirt and debris for as long as possible make sure you:

Clean or replace the filter when it’s dirty
Don’t let the bag or dust cup fill to the brim, as this can clog the machine
Check the hose for clogs
Don’t hoover up anything you shouldn’t
Regularly clean the brush of tangled hair, fibres and string – try this genius 59p detangling hack!

If your vacuum is getting on a bit and isn’t sucking up like it used to, or it’s making a funny noise, it could be time to get a replacement before it stops working altogether. Whether it’s cordless, cylinder or an upright vacuum you’re after, Swan has a range of high-quality vacuums to suit any home and budget.

repairman holding tumble dryer condenser

Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer

Lifespan: 10-20 years

Depending on the number of people in your household, your washing machine and tumble dryer could see a lot of action in a week. If one of them stops working it can be incredibly inconvenient. And you could find yourself traipsing large bags of dirty laundry to the laundrette multiple times a week. This can be time consuming, expensive and frustrating. Therefore, it could be useful to know that washing machines and tumble dryers have a similar life span of around 10 to 20 years. To prolong the lifespan of your washing machine and tumble dryer keep the hoses and drums clean and regularly remove lint from your dryer to prevent fires.

How can I avoid having to prematurely repair or replace my home appliances?

The best way to avoid having to prematurely repair or replace appliances and make them last for as long as possible is to care for them properly and keep up their maintenance. Sometimes, however, a product has outlived its lifespan and you’ll need to purchase a new one. Don’t wait until they’re on their deathbed to repair or replace appliances. It may seem great that it’s outliving its lifespan, but if one day it just packs in you could have a real problem – especially if it’s essential like your refrigerator or freezer! If your home appliances are starting to show their age, why not take it as an opportunity to treat yourself to some brand-new Swan products!