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everyone keeps saying that appliances are meant to be disposable now due to the disposable economy we live in--even the higher end stuff!
The washer and dryer we are leaving with our old house is one year younger than me (and I'm 27!!!) they were the cheap ones from kenmore too. Only repair was the knob--my husband built a wood one that works just fine (albeit a bit hillbilly) Now I hear that washers and dryers only last 10 years--what a crock!
Then again his mom says that we take care of our things and do not overuse them so they will last longer--so I hope that is true!
So a 26 year old washer is comparable to a new one how? Thats like comparing apples to watermelons.
I'm early in the process of having a home built, but while meeting with the builder and his wife, she stated that she read in some trade magazine that the expected lifespan of NEW appliances is only 7 years!!! As someone else pointed out, it depends on how heavily used some are, like the dishwasher and range, but I imagine that was for "average" use - whatever that is...family of 4, maybe?
The house I'm in now is 11 years old, and I and two neighbors have already recently replaced refrigerators. It's crazy. My mom had appliances for over 20 years before they broke down - if they did. She got nearly 25 years out of the 1946 refrigerator that came with the house. It's hard to believe the cost savings in energy use for newer ones is making up for the cost of replacing them more often!
We have a freezer that is over 30 years old. The door seal is partially gone because we have to defrost it several times a year. In one sense, we wish it would die so we can replace it with an efficient energy saving model. In another sense, we marvel at how long it's been going, which included 6 moves. It was one of our better buys.
I like old appliances. They were built to last, are serviceable, and in many cases are nearly or equally as efficient. But it is also important to note that a lot of old appliances were not inexpensive. So many people bought them on payment plans or as part of their utility service, such as natural gas stoves, etc.
To build equally as durable gear today would have us likely paying thousands for appliances we now pay hundreds for.
I can't recall the exact figures, but an early 1950s Chambers stove was something like $500, which according to the "inflation calculator":
"What cost $500 in 1955 would cost $3977.26 in 2008."
So part of the problem is that we do have a disposable society, but that has also been driven by the public being convinced that price is everything. It is somewhat circular. Once(if ever) as consumers we realize that there is a healthy balance between quality and economy we may again find more consumer goods built to last, as long as we're willing to pay for it.
Until then, the manufacturers are simply going to give us what we want.... flashy features, but at the lowest price, which will means cheaply built construction.
Refrigerators would normally have 10 to 15 years life span. I got mine replaced after 10 years. Make sure before remodeling your kitchen, your proposed design and colors still matches your appliances.
We just moved to a new home which needs a complete kitchen renovation (cabinets, counter-tops, floor). The kitchen has Viking range top and 2 wall ovens as well as a Sub-Zero refrigerator. They are almost 16 years old. Right now, everything is working fine and looks good. Does anyone know the expected life span of these appliances. I would hate to redo the kitchen with the existing appliances and then have them die - would then have to replace with the same sizes. They are higher end than I would ever buy - but the sizes might create a problem if we had to replace.
Well we had a G.E. THAT lasted for 22 years, and still going when 2 years ago we bought the biggest SAMSUNG FRIDGE at 29 cubic ft, holds everything and then some love it. My G.E. would not die, infact we still have it and use it in the garage. My Samsung is the biggest fridge they make, and has great reviews, got it on sale never any problems with it so far. Good Luck
My whirlpool fridge was manufactured 4/96 (17 yrs old) & is still going strong besides the scare i had a few yrs ago. My gas water heater was maufactured in 1975 & still works fine.
I like old appliances. They were built to last, are serviceable, and in many cases are nearly or equally as efficient. But it is also important to note that a lot of old appliances were not inexpensive. So many people bought them on payment plans or as part of their utility service, such as natural gas stoves, etc.
To build equally as durable gear today would have us likely paying thousands for appliances we now pay hundreds for.
I can't recall the exact figures, but an early 1950s Chambers stove was something like $500, which according to the "inflation calculator":
"What cost $500 in 1955 would cost $3977.26 in 2008."
So part of the problem is that we do have a disposable society, but that has also been driven by the public being convinced that price is everything. It is somewhat circular. Once(if ever) as consumers we realize that there is a healthy balance between quality and economy we may again find more consumer goods built to last, as long as we're willing to pay for it.
Until then, the manufacturers are simply going to give us what we want.... flashy features, but at the lowest price, which will means cheaply built construction.
Al
love it!!, so true
My SIL just got a washer and dryer for 2,400.. what can they possibly do for that amount of money????
I doubt her clothes get any cleaner than mine......
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Thats like comparing apples to watermelons.
