Appliance use and care

With care, appliances get shot at longer life.

That ancient hand-crank washing machine may have been an enormous pain for our great-grandmothers, but it was built to last.

Today's modern appliances are built for energy efficiency and convenience for the user, but they also have a shorter lifespan.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says today's washers need to be replaced about every 12 years, and most other appliances don't last much longer.

And as far as specific brands, none lasts significantly longer the others, according to Consumer Reports. Their studies show that, across the board, appliances from a wide variety of manufacturers carry similar life spans.

All appliances can break down before their optimal end dates or fail to work at peak performance if not properly maintained. To make the most of the life they do have, follow the maintenance suggestions in the user manual or try these tips from Consumer Reports:

Refrigerator

Life expectancy: 14-17 years

• Clean the compressor coils every few months or so (typically, coils are at the bottom of the unit).

• Keep gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer doors clean with mild detergent and water, not bleach, to ensure a good seal and prevent wasted energy.

• Check the gasket seal by closing the doors on a dollar bill; replace the gasket if the bill falls out or can be easily removed without opening the door.

Stove

Life expectancy: 17 years

• Place heavy pots and pans gently on smooth-top models to avoid breakage.

• Never cover drip pans and bowls with foil; it can short-circuit the burner.

• Keep reflector bowls (beneath burners) shiny and clean, which affects how efficiently they reflect heat up to the pan or pot. Replace them when they can no longer be cleaned.

• Gas stoves: periodically clean burner ports with a needle and don't poke the igniter or spray it with oven cleaner.

Wall oven

Life expectancy: 17 years

• Check door seals for damage.

• If heat is escaping from an older oven, adjust or replace the gasket.

Washing machine

Life expectancy: 11-14 years

• Remove grit from the screens where the hoses attach to the water supplies.

• Don't overload the washer beyond its manufacturer-recommended capacity.

• Install the washer on a level and well-supported subfloor to prevent vibration and banging.

Dryer

Life expectancy: 13 years

• Clean lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely.

• Each year, clean the entire exhaust duct to keep it from clogging and creating a fire hazard.

Microwave

Life expectancy: 9 years

• Avoid turning on when empty and avoid putting metal inside.

Dishwasher

Life expectancy: 11 years

• Replace a dish rack with worn or rusted tines.

• When loading, make sure silverware and dishes don't catch the spray arms to avoid damaging the arms.

• Inspect the spray arms for paper, glass or other debris, which can clog holes. Remove any obstructions. If you find glass, inspect the pump housing for glass, as well as any seals that it might have punctured.

• If your dishwasher has a manual-clean filter, clean the filter regularly, as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Projection TV

Life expectancy: 30,000-60,000 hours, about 3½ to 7 years if used 24/7

• Screens can scratch easily, so be careful when cleaning them.

Conventional tube television

Life expectancy: 30,000 hours, about 3½ years if used 24/7

• Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Remove dust from screen and vents. Keep screen brightness (contrast settings) low to prolong picture life and reduce chance of "burn in," a permanent disfiguring of areas of the screen.