Running on Borrowed Time

Did your dishes come out spotty again? Are your clothes still damp after a full cycle? Here’s how to keep your appliances running efficiently —and avoid these frustrating mishaps.

By Isabella Aranda Garcia

The guests have arrived, the wine is poured, and the oven—well, the oven isn’t warming up. You give it a reassuring pat, maybe even a not-so-gentle kick, hoping it’ll snap out of its latest tantrum. It’s been acting up for weeks, but you figured it still had some life left in it. Now, with a dinner party on the line, you’re left wondering—how long was it supposed to last, anyway?

That’s actually a great question. How long do appliances last, and what can we do to keep them running smoothly (and avoid last-minute disasters)?

It’s all about wear, tear and water

In truth, there is no guaranteed number of years an appliance will keep working. It all depends on a multitude of factors unique to each appliance and its “living conditions,” including the use of water, the electrical voltage, other appliances, the number of people using the appliance, and the manufacturer.

But if you want an overall time marker for when you should start questioning your appliances, Fred Albano, owner of Albano Appliance, says things can get difficult around the 10-year mark.

“You can get 12 or 15 years, but it depends on conditions and usage, particularly how frequently you use your appliances,” says Albano.

Michael Willman, owner of Willman’s Appliance Service, agrees, adding that for appliances like dishwashers, washers and dryers, it’s not just frequency that matters.

“They are the appliances that people load and unload daily,” says Willman. “Some families use the laundry machines five times a day. Is that considered too much? Not if they’re spacing the loads and not stuffing it like a garbage can.”

If you really need an estimate, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the general lifespan range for each appliance is:

• Dishwashers: nine years
• Electric ranges: 13 to 15 years
• Freezers: 10 to 20 years
• Gas ovens: 10 to 18 years
• Washing machines: 5 to 15 years

Willman’s appliance recommendations:

• Electrolux or Whirlpool: Front-load washing machine
• Speed Queen: Top-load washing machines
• Sub-Zero: Refrigerators
• Wolf or Viking: Ovens, stoves and other cooking equipment

Overall, water tends to be one of the biggest issues; dishwashers and ice machines have higher service rates, according to Albano. Additionally, the water’s hardness or softness also affects longevity.

“In northern Westchester, our water is either very hard or it’s mechanically treated and very soft,” he says. “So things like mineral buildup or corrosion from water itself can be a factor in determining how something is serviced.”

Just like overusing them, it is possible to underuse some appliances.

“I have a number of clients who fly south for the winter and leave their appliances for six months at a time,” says Willman. “Dishwashers are designed to have a little bit of water left in them, so that doesn’t bode well. Without proper maintenance or cleaning, problems like mold can occur.”

Appliances need love too

Red fridge or refrigerator isolated on white background.

Are your dishes not as clean as they used to be? Is your oven taking even longer to warm up? That’s a sign it’s time for some TLC to help your appliance last longer. Here’s what else to look out for in your major appliances:

• Burning smells, even when nothing seems to be burning or it’s clean.
• Food residue is left on your plates or cloudy glassware after a wash.
• Fridges aren’t keeping food as fresh as they should, or there is a condensation buildup.
• The oven takes longer to preheat or bakes unevenly.
• The door seals are cracked or don’t shut correctly.
• Unusual noises that weren’t there before, such as grinding or banging.

If any of these factors resonate with you, it’s time to start proactively maintaining your appliance.

One of the most unsuspecting places for wear and tear is your appliance’s control board. All electronic appliances have them, and constant power surges can damage them. Albano says appliances are highly sensitive to voltage, and a power outage can damage the control board. Luckily, they can be repaired rather than replaced. To prevent these issues, plug appliances into surge protectors and conduct regular inspections for wiring connections and fuses every few months to keep everything running smoothly.

Albano and Willman say one of the simplest ways to keep your clothes dry (and avoid any fires) is to clean your dryer vent.

“The statistic is roughly 80,000 homes catch on fire each year due to excessive lint in the back of the dryer,” says Albano. “It’s easy to clean, though. Disconnect the vent hose and vacuum it, or use a professional duct cleaning service.”

If your washing machine isn’t cleaning as it used to, Willman recommends checking the drain pump for missing coins. Or if your dishes are cloudy after a cycle, check your filter screen for all the food you forgot to scrape off. And although fridges tend to be the sturdiest appliances, he says to clean your condenser coils to improve their performance and efficiency. For your oven and stoves, regular cleaning is considered regular maintenance.

“Take care of it, and it’ll take care of you,” says Sandra Lena, who works in client services at Wittus Fire, which offers “more durable options, such as wood-burning ovens that tend to last much longer than electric ranges.”

Not sure what or where your condenser coil or filter screen is? It’s okay; you’re not alone. Albano says you can find all that information in your manual.

“When’s the last time you sat down and read the use of care guide?” he asks. “When you buy a new TV, do you sit there and read through the instructions?”

If you accidentally threw yours away, don’t fret; you can usually download a PDF from the company’s website.

Buying a new appliance

If you’re looking for a new appliance, don’t focus on flashy features.

“People love to say, ‘Oh, you get what you pay for,’ but sometimes, you could argue that simplicity might mean fewer service problems,” says Albano. “I always recommend focusing on quality manufacturers rather than all the bells and whistles. That’s the key to finding durable appliances.”

Willman agrees, adding that it’s also best to steer clear of big department stores like Costco or Home Depot. Instead, go directly to an appliance retailer. But before you do, please measure your space. Albano says he’s had many cases where customers bought an appliance that couldn’t fit through their door.

“You get to the job site, and you’re like, ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake,’” he says. “The first thing you check, especially in older homes, is whether there’s a narrow doorway. You can strip the machine parts, you can take the doors off a refrigerator, but sometimes that doesn’t even cut it.”

Installation matters, too.

“We once received a service call about a new refrigerator,” Albano remembers. “The client said it wasn’t working. When we got to the house, we realized it was because the contractor installed it upside down.”

Act One, Take Two

The guests have arrived, the wine is poured, and because you took excellent care of your oven (and it’s from a quality manufacturer), it’s warming up just fine. No anxious glances or desperate kicks  are needed. Because you read this article, your dinner party will go off without a hitch. You give it a gentle pat, a look of tenderness, and return to your guests with a sigh of relief.

This article was published in the March/April 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.