HomeAIQ

How Long Do Home Appliances & Systems Last?

Average lifespans, the warning signs of a system near the end, and how to find your appliance's real age.

Every major system in your house has a countdown clock — and knowing where each one stands is the difference between replacing a water heater on your schedule and replacing it at 11pm with a flooded utility room. Here are the typical lifespans, assuming normal use and routine maintenance.

Lifespan chart

System / appliance	Average lifespan
Water heater (tank)	8–12 years
Water heater (tankless)	15–20 years
Gas furnace	15–20 years
Boiler	20–30 years
Central air conditioner	12–17 years
Heat pump / mini-split	10–15 years
Roof (asphalt shingle)	18–25 years
Roof (metal)	40–70 years
Refrigerator	10–15 years
Washer / dryer	10–13 years
Dishwasher	9–12 years
Garage door opener	10–15 years
Sump pump	7–10 years
Exterior paint	7–10 years
Kitchen range / oven	13–17 years

Warning signs a system is near the end

• Water heater: rusty hot water, rumbling/popping sounds (sediment), moisture around the base. Any leak from the tank itself means replace now.
• Furnace: yellow burner flame, rising gas bills, frequent cycling, repairs two winters in a row.
• AC / heat pump: weak or warm airflow, refrigerant top-offs, grinding or screeching outdoors.
• Roof: shingle granules in the gutters, curling edges, daylight in the attic.
• The 50% rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than half the price of replacement and the unit is past half its expected life, replacement usually wins.

How to find your appliance's real age

Almost every manufacturer stamps the production date into the serial number on the nameplate — but each brand hides it differently: Rheem uses the first four digits as month/year, Carrier and Bryant encode week and year, GE uses a letter code, and so on. You can look up your brand's scheme — or skip the decoding entirely:

More guides

• Home maintenance schedule by season
• The new homeowner checklist: your first 30 days