How long should your appliances actually last?
Knowing roughly how long an appliance should last turns a stressful emergency into a planned replacement. Here are honest ranges — and how to see yours coming.
The rough numbers
Refrigerators run 10–15 years, dishwashers and washers about 10, gas ranges up to 15, and water heaters 8–12. Age alone isn’t destiny, but once something crosses its expected window, every repair deserves a second thought.
The tells worth watching
Rising noise, jobs that take longer, repairs that start clustering — these are the early signals that a machine is winding down. Two service calls in a year on a twelve-year-old appliance is the system telling you to plan.
Plan on your terms
When HearthIQ knows each appliance’s install date, you can see what’s approaching the end of its run and budget for it — instead of making a rushed, full-price decision the day it dies.
Reading a model & serial number — and why it matters
Those tiny stickers unlock manuals, parts, recalls and warranty dates. Here’s how to decode them.
Warranties you forgot you had (and how to find them)
Half of home repairs are cheaper than you think once you dig up the paperwork. Here’s where to look.
The 15-minute home scan that saves you a whole weekend later
Walking room to room once, on purpose, is the single best thing you can do for your home. Here is exactly what to capture — and why future-you will be grateful.