how long does a washer/dryer last?

[Grumpy's Gal]

I've had my kenmore set for 13 years. How long does a washer/dryer usually last?

 

[Magickndm]

I've had mine since my daughter was born, 15 years at the end of this month. They're Kenmore.

 

[ChristmasElf]

You 2 are really lucky! When we bought our washer and dryer this past April, it was our 3rd set in 25 years!
The people at the store told me that big appliances are really meant to buy and then stick in a corner for years without moving them. We have moved a couple times and that is supposedly not good for them. (refrigerators either)

He told up to expect 8 years out of the dryer and 7-8 years on the washer.
I think it also depends on much they get used, as mine seem to be never allowed to turn off! unfortunately!

 

[WDWAurora]

My parents had the same goldenrod yellow washer and dryer pair for 20 years I think. Since then they haven't had the best luck, but not too bad. The first washer broke, and was "unrepairable." They bought a (NICE) Calypso in the meantime, but their old one was fixed, so it just sat in the basement until last year when I had my first place that didn't include a w/d. It's still going strong for me! They replaced the dryer with a gas one. I think they've had it and the washer around 5yrs now.

 

[Sandy V.]

My Whirlpool washer is 18 years old. It's been repaired once, but it's still going strong.

My Whirlpool dryer lasted 13 or 14 years until I had to replace it.

 

[Frantasmic]

May father still has the Maytag set he had when I moved out 21 years ago. It was 4-5 years old then.

In those 21 years, me, or my wife and I have gone through 3 sets of washers and dryers. Our last set was Whirlpool and going strong; we just needed the capacity of the new uprights. My mother has our old set now, which is going on 7 years and is doing well.

I hope the Kenmore uprights last forever, because they are sure handy to have and stuff with clothes. Our water bill went down considerably as well.

 

[minkydog]

Most brands last about 7-8 years with regular use. My last washer lived for 18 years before it started barfing water everywhere. The dryer lasted about 13 years, but only because my DH is handy and had nursed it along. My brother has a dryer that is over 25yrs old--of course you have to dry everything twice now

 

[pixiemomma]

In my house, about 5 years. We live in the Bermuda Triangle of electric appliances.

 

[disneysteve]

Our washer lasted 10. Our dryer and fridge are going on 12. Our basement freezer is about 14 and has been moved once.

One thing to think about, particularly with refrigerators, is that they have gotten way more efficient in recent years. I've seen several experts recommend that if your fridge is much more than 10 years old, it probably will save you money to replace it as your energy usage will drop by more than the cost of the new one.

 

[SleepyMom]

Our Whirlpool set was 12 years old in July, still going strong. This is the third house they have been in.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I've had my Kenmore set for 18 years. I'm ready for a new set but unfortunately my husband is mechanically inclined.

I am looking around just for something more energy efficient.

Lori

 

[C.Ann]

I had my Maytag for 32 years - and it never needed one single repair..

 

[Tjaleks]

My mom's dryer is 30 and has only needed to have the heating element replaced twice and a the belt replaced 2 or 3 times.

 

[momof2inPA]

My washer lasted 10. My dryer is 11 and works fine.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

4th set here in 17 years. This time we bought the stainless steel washer tub & stainless dryer tub a couple of months ago.

 

[Disney Doll]

I had a Maytag washer that was 40 years old.

Generally, if you get 10-15 years out of an appliance, then I'd say you're doing pretty good.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Dryers can / should last alot longer than washers. A dryer has very few parts, so repairs are usually much less costly, and can even be done by a homeowner. We've had our Whirlpool dryer 17 yrs, and we bought it used. DH has replaced a belt once; and the heating element twice (because I'm not good about emptying the lint.)

We also had gotten a used Whirlpool washer. In the 12 yrs we had it, we had to have the pump replaced & a few other parts. We got rid of it when the tub started leaking. Newer Whirlpool on 5 yrs so far.

When we move, we are getting new set -- Whirlpool again.

All our appliances are Whirlpool (or Kenmore - same thing).

 

[Snowysmom]

I had a Kenmore washer for 20 years and the Whirlpool dryer lasted for 20 years.

 

[graygables]

In my house, about 5 years. We live in the Bermuda Triangle of electric appliances.

I'm on my 3rd set of Kenmore in 10 years. Never moved them, either. The appliance salesman told me that they are considering them pretty much "disposable" since people replace them when they move and people move so often, or a new design (or color) comes out and "everybody wants one". As such, they aren't engineering them to last as long.

Also, my DH is a masonry contractor so the stupid thing takes a lot of abuse from his filthy clothes. No way around it, so I buy cheap and white.

 

[Morganpics]

Our first washer lasted 20 years, am now on the second one which is 12, both Kenmore (Whirlpool). Still using first dryer, it's 23 years old. Stove lasted 20, after putting in 2 thermostats and it still didn't work, trashed it. New one is 2-3 years old. Refrigerator lasted 30 years, new one is now 3 years old. Everything is Kenmore. We practically built the Sears near us.