Lifespan of Home Systems and Appliances
Whether you’re moving into a new home or a resale, the idea of how long systems, appliances, floor and window coverings last – and how much they cost to replace – is usually of interest. Maybe it’s even a huge concern. Replacing major appliances is one reason for a home warranty when buying a used home – it’s like insurance so the home buyer doesn’t have to buy any of those items new, at least not right away.
With lots of the big ticket items that have a fixed lifespan, like a furnace or an air conditioning unit – how well you take care of them with preventative maintenance, tune-ups and servicing plays a big role. A little expense to properly maintain systems can stave off bigger, unexpected expenses down the road.
But let’s just say curiosity is your motive and you want to know the lifespan of some major items and the cost of a replacement. Here’s what we found out through a bevy of online experts.
The Life Expectancy of Appliances
The average life expectancy for a properly maintained refrigerator is between 10 and 14 years, depending on model and size. The life expectancy of your refrigerator is affected by how well it is cared for and its construction. Some models may last only about 10 years, while others may run for up to 19 years. New refrigerators cost between $450 and $3,000 and a new stove and range between $650 and $2,000.
A washing machine should work for around 10 to 13 years. A dryer about the same amount of time. New these can run between $400 and $1800. An oven should last for between 11 and 15 years and a dishwasher between 9 and 13 years.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems need proper and regular maintenance in order to work efficiently, but even in the best-case scenarios most components only last 15 to 25 years. Furnaces on average last 15 to 20 years and air conditioning units 10 to 15 years. Thermostats usually are replaced before the end of their 35-year lifespan due to technological improvements.
A new furnace can cost between $2,000 to $5,000, depending on efficiency and size, but if the home is all electric and you have a heat pump-air handler system, they can range from $5,000 to $15,000.
Tankless water heaters last more than 20 years, while an electric or gas water heater has a life expectancy of about 10 years. The average cost, with installation, is $889 (for 40 to 50 gallon tank) and $3,000 for tankless.
Carpeting and Flooring
Carpet doesn’t last forever, even with good care. Inexpensive apartment-grade carpet will last one to five years and a medium grade carpet five to 15 years. Most manufacturers say carpet should last for 10 to 15 years with regular cleaning and maintenance. But even the best of the best carpet you can buy will likely need replacing after 25 years. Generally, after 10 years, signs of wear will begin to show on the major walkways and the carpet fibers start losing their texture and tuft. A hallway that is used many times a day may need to be replaced sooner than a bedroom that one person walks through a fixed number of times throughout an average day.
According to Home Advisor, to replace carpet involves the cost of the carpet itself which can run from $2 per square foot for polyester and basic olefin to upwards of $9 to $11 per square foot for wool and patterned Berber. Carpet installation costs are usually quoted based on bare subfloors so there’s a cost to remove the old carpet and install new.
If stairs need to be re-carpeted, that is considered a specialty installation and runs into added costs. Without taking into account moving furniture or special cuts, the cost to install carpet in a 12-foot by 12-foot room should cost between $300-$750. On average, homeowners pay between $763 and $2,521 for carpet install.
Alternatively, to refinish hardwood floors can run between $850 and $1,260, per 200 square feet of flooring (moving furniture, sanding, staining and finishing). Wood floorings have a life expectancy of 100 years or more. Marble, slate and granite are also expected to last for 100 years.
Roofs, Siding and Paint
The life of a roof depends on weather conditions, material and construction quality, and ample maintenance. Slate, copper, and clay/concrete roofs have the longest life expectancy—over 50 years. Asphalt shingles last about 20 years while roofs made of fiber cement shingles have a life expectancy of about 25 years, and roofs made of wood shakes will likely last for about 30 years. The average cost to replace a roof (on a 1500-square foot home or footprint) is $6,750.
Exterior materials like brick, vinyl, engineered wood, stone (both natural and manufactured), and fiber cement will last as long the house does. Gutters have a life expectancy of more than 50 years if made of copper and for 20 years if made of aluminum. Copper downspouts last 100 years or more, while aluminum ones will last 30 years.
And finally, exterior paints can last for 15 years or longer, but often homeowners choose to paint more frequently than the paint lasts.
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With plenty of storage space in the brand new homes of Colliers Hill, it’s easier to stay organized than in most existing homes! Come and visit our amazing neighborhoods and amenities and explore the models and move-in ready homes of Richmond American Homes, Shea Homes and Meritage Homes. Available in ranch or two-story designs new homes in our master-planned community are priced from the upper $300s to the $600s.
