How long do refrigerators last?

[DVC-Don]

I've got a Kenmore that is almost 19 years old now.

 

[karly05]

But, I love my egg shelves in the door! And, yeah, that bugs me that the new models don't have them any more. I have a Montgomery Ward fridge that dates back to sometime in the '80s, I think (it was my parents'), and it still runs fine except for the ice maker jamming up now and then. I keep thinking I'd like a new fridge some day, but can't figure out what's "good" (as in, a reliable brand). I hate to spend the money on something that's not going to last, and I guess as long as this one is working, I should leave it alone.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I just replaced a 9 year old fridge. We woke up one day, and it was dead in the water.... and it took 5 days to get a new one delivered.... we lived out of ice and cooler chests.

 

[Christine]

Get this--I just got rid of a refrigerator from 1967!!! It was a spare that I kept in the basement for beer. It was turquoise blue. My mom gave it to me when she moved out about 10 years ago. When my 12 year old refrigerator died, I got rid of the 30+ year old one at the same time because it was horribly energy inefficient but still working. I miss it...

 

[bicker]

Keep in mind that there are myriad ongoing advantages of new refrigerators. Here is one person's most eye-popping realization:

That's their entire home's power consumption. Just updating their refrigerator had that much impact on the whole home power consumption. Even if he has to replace his refrigerator every eight years, now, he's still saving money over continuing to use that older refrigerator.

 

[KittyHellstrom]

Not sure about the one currently in my apartment but I know my parents' fridge is definitely older than I am and I'm nearly 30

-Kitty

 

[tvguy]

We bought our fridge in 1999 and it doesn't have an egg shelf either. I think the school of thought is that your eggs will stay fresher in their original packaging, and not on the door of your fridge.

Actually, I just learned a few weeks ago that eggs don't need to be refrigerated. They don't last any longer.
Just Googled it, apparently the U.S. and Canada are among the few nations where people refrigerate eggs.

 

[quadwriter85]

My family had a a refrigerator that lasted about 17 years and then the one we bought after it only lasted 4 years. With the one that lasted 4 years a family friend who works in repairs said that there have been tons of defective GE refrigerators in the past few years.

 

[Luv2Camp]

We just ordered a new Samsung fridge to replace our 10 year old Kenmore. We had the Kenmore in our old house, which only had room for a very small fridge. The Kenmore seems to either freeze everything in the fridge part, and if the temp is turned down at all, everything is too warm. So, that gave me enough reason to finally buy a bigger one! We have four in our family using a fridge that's made for a very small apartment or house...The extra space is going to be wonderful!

 

[Luv2Camp]

Actually, I just learned a few weeks ago that eggs don't need to be refrigerated. They don't last any longer.
Just Googled it, apparently the U.S. and Canada are among the few nations where people refrigerate eggs.

I just read this...I didn't know that! I wonder if that's why none of the refrigerators have egg holders!

 

[dis-happy]

Actually, I just learned a few weeks ago that eggs don't need to be refrigerated. They don't last any longer.
Just Googled it, apparently the U.S. and Canada are among the few nations where people refrigerate eggs.

Refrigerating eggs reduces the risk of salmonella.

 

[tinatark]

We replaced our original-to-our-house (1991) refrigerator a few months ago - I looked up the energy consumption- the old one was 1995 KWH per year, the new one is 580 KWH per year - the old one was okay, still worked, but it was OLD, and very inefficient.

Now, for the cooktop, I hope it lasts many more years, as replacing it would be a special order thing - 48 inches, 6 burners with a downdraft. It's by Jenn Aire, and I think it was made back in the days of solidly-built appliances!

Replaced the dishwasher when we moved in 6 years ago.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Our Sears fridge is going on year 16 just this month. Runs great.

 

[arminnie]

My dad made a living repairing refrigerators in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I don't even know if there is such a thing as a "refrigerator repairman" today. There are service technicians that can read a manual and replace a part, but there seems to be no need for specialists so something must be working.

 

[jodifla]

Our downstairs fridge is 42 years old.

 

[tvguy]

Ordered a Kenmore (made by LG) 27 cubic foot side by side today. They will deliver it Tuesday.
Here's hoping for 27 years.

 

[shamrock30]

Our house was new 9 years ago. We bought moderate to high end appliances. We're on our second dishwasher, not including the lemon that we made the store take back. The current dishwasher ( a Bosch) isn't going to last much longer either. We're also on our second refrigerator and second built in microwave. The washing machine isn't going to last much longer. They're building junk these days.

 

[barkley]

the high cost repairs and replaces, and lack of longgevity on major appliances is one of the main reasons we have a home warranty insurance policy.

when we bought our first home in '91 it was older, and the sellers had to buy a one year plan for us as part of the sale. after we used the policy on the a/c and couple of other items and saw how the company would repair (to the extent of having parts made custom for some high dollar to replace items) or replace with comparable units we decided to keep renewing the policy.

what we pay for one year's coverage on everything (including our plumbing, electrical and other non appliances) is less than i would have to put out to replace any one item in my home (and i've yet to have a repair guy whose total bill if i were an uninsured private pay person has'nt been at least a third of what i pay for the whole year's policy). this year we've had them out 3 times-my total out of pocket was $150, their charges for parts and labor-over 2 years of my annual renewal costs.

 

[ilovejack02]

My outside fridge is at least 25 years old, works great , but outside because , well it is ugly, nasty yellow beige color . I couldn't stand to look at it .


My inside fridge is about 13 years old, but basic model, no bells, no whistles . I expect it to last a few more years.

Best friend's fancy fridge died after 5 years , two different repair guys just told her to buy a new one. UGHHHH

 

[disneylover1959]

Our refrigerator is 11 years old and still going strong! It's really a tough call though when you get a large repair bill and not sure whether to repair or replace.