If you can keep your appliances in working order, you're better served as repair and purchasing prices are skyrocketing.
Splurging on a shiny, new appliance for your home can be exciting.
However, nothing last forever. In fact, modern appliances usually come with shorter lifespans than their older counterparts—and these days, they cost a lot more.
The Chicago Fed studied the impact of President Trump's tariffs imposed last year and found many housing-related industries among the most exposed to cost increases from March to December 2025.
Retailers report price increases, and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that about 10% of of building materials used in residential construction are imported.
Electrical appliances, equipment, and components saw almost a 3% increase in input costs.
That’s why keeping an older appliance, such as a fridge, washer dryer, dishwasher, or HVAC system running is a massive financial victory.
“Homeowners often assume an old appliance and a high repair bill mean it’s time for a replacement. What they often forget is that if you've had an appliance for 10+ years with no major repairs up to this point, a repair is the way to go as it’s built with high quality parts and will most likely last another 10 years,” says Sean Murphy, owner of Duncan Home Services in Indianapolis.
Fortunately, the right care and maintenance is all it takes to maximize the longevity of your older, higher quality appliances and avoid premature replacement costs.
Modern appliances aren’t built like they used to be
So, why do the latest, greatest appliances often break down long before we want them to? Put simply, manufacturers have different priorities than they used to.
“Twenty or even 30 years ago, materials were much heavier and technology was much simpler. Modern appliances are typically designed to be energy-efficient with more plastic components,” says Matthew Morrison, appliance expert at JustAnswer.
Unfortunately, this massive change in manufacturing has cut the lifespan of most appliances in half.
“If you get 10 years out of an appliance, consider yourself a winner,” Morrison explains.
It usually makes more sense to repair an older model as it can easily run you $700 for a new dishwasher and $3,000 for a fridge, according to Morrison.
“Calling a local appliance company to take care of some of the minor issues as the unit experiences normal wear and tear will ultimately save you a lot of cash (and headaches) in the long run,” adds Morrison.
Murphy echoes Morrison’s thoughts, and explains that most homeowners assume if they have a repair bill that’s 50% or more of the replacement cost, they should just go out and buy a new appliance.
“I would push back on that and ask them to realize that if they buy new, they’re buying a new set of problems with potentially less reliable parts, as well as manufacturer defects, and warranty issues,” Murphy adds.
Keeping your appliances in good working order will save you more money in the long run. (Getty) How to make your older appliances last longer
If you’d like your older, higher quality appliances to stand the test of time, routine maintenance is key.
“To extend the life of your HVAC system, for example, regularly replace the filters and clean the outside condenser so that it’s free of dust and leaves,” says Morrison.
When it comes to your fridge, clean the condenser coils so that it runs cooler for longer and wipe down the door seals to prevent air loss.
Washers require you to run monthly cleaning cycles and inspect the fill hoses for wear. And dryers rely on proper venting and smooth operation.
Dishwashers will be in better shape when you use proper detergent and ensure the spray arms (which are usually located beneath the racks) can rotate freely.
“Remember that anything that causes extra stress on a cooling system, such as dirt or decreased airflow, for example will always automatically reduce the lifespan of your refrigeration systems like fridges and air conditioners, and the same principle applies for fans and heating systems,” Murphy explains.
Morrison reinforces the fact that although less efficient, older appliances are almost always more durable and easier to repair.
“With a few basic hand tools, you can usually be your own household appliance repairman,” adds Morrison.