How Old Is My Appliance?

It’s safe to say you heavily rely on the appliances in your home on a daily basis. From the refrigerator in your kitchen to the dryer in your laundry room, you’re constantly using appliances to make life easier. However, that isn’t to say that these machines will last forever. There will eventually come a time when your appliances will need to be replaced.

Are your appliances getting old? Do you think it might be time for an upgrade? Knowing the date your appliances were manufactured before making such an important decision can be helpful. Fortunately, learning how to find the age of an appliance isn’t as challenging as you might think. You can take a few simple steps to find the answer you’re looking for.

Let’s discuss what you can do to determine how old your appliance is.

What Is the Average Lifespan of Household Appliances?

The appliances in your home have all kinds of uses. As such, you can expect these appliances to have different lifespans, especially if you happen to use a few more than others. So before we can go over how to find the age of an appliance, it’s a good idea to know how long these trusty machines typically last.

2) ovens
HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR MAJOR APPLIANCES LAST?
1) refrigerators
3) microwaves
5) dryers
4) washing machines
Refrigerators can typically last 20 years. However, fridges can become less efficient over time.
Depending on the type of oven you have, you can expect the appliance to last 13 or 15 years.
Washing machines usually last 10 years. The number of loads you run can impact how long it lasts.
Dyers tend to last 10 to 13 years. Cleaning the lint trap may help boost your dryer's lifespan.
On average, you can expect your microwave oven to last between 5 and 9 years.

How to Find the Age of an Appliance

Did you recently purchase a home? Are you a long-time homeowner that hasn’t replaced their appliances in a long time — but can’t remember exactly how long it’s been? Whatever the case, it’s crucial to know the ages of your appliances. This way, you can make an informed decision about whether or not they need to be replaced.

You can use a few different methods to determine how old your appliance is. Some of the steps we discuss may take a little sleuthing, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Look for the Serial Number

When discussing how to find the age of an appliance, it only makes sense to start with the serial number. Locating the serial number tag on your appliances can help you determine the date of manufacture. In most cases, you’ll find the serial number on the side or bottom of your appliances, but the locations can differ, so remember to check thoroughly if you’re struggling to locate them.

Essentially, the serial number represents a date code. You’ll usually see that the serial number has a mixture of numbers and letters. For GE appliances, the first two letters of the code should represent the month and year the appliance was manufactured. The first letter is always the month, while the second letter is the year. Maytag appliances are different in that the first four numbers of the code represent the year and week of the year the appliance was manufactured.

Do you have LG appliances? The first number of the date code corresponds to the last digit of the year in which the appliance was manufactured. The second and third digits represent the month.

Use an Online Search Tool

Have you found the serial number of your appliance but are struggling to decipher it? The good news is that you can typically use an online search tool or age finder website that will determine the age of your appliance for you. You only need the model and serial number to know how old your appliance is.

Many manufacturers have resources you can use to locate and read the serial numbers on your appliances. It can be helpful to check with your specific manufacturer for the most accurate information.

Ask Someone Who Knows

As you can see, learning how to find the age of an appliance isn’t usually too difficult. However, you may find yourself hitting a dead end if you can’t find the model or serial number.

When push comes to shove, you can try asking the previous homeowner if they know the age of your appliances. The homeowner might have a record of their appliance installation dates that can be helpful to you. If contacting the seller isn’t an option, you can try calling the manufacturer for assistance instead.

Need New Appliances? Turn to the Experts!

Knowing the age of your appliances is absolutely beneficial. This way, you can determine if you really need dishwasher, oven, or refrigerator installation services in the Cayman Islands. Hopefully, this guide has made it easier for you to know how old your appliance is.

If the time has come to upgrade your home with new appliances, why not work with the professionals at Appliance Doctors? We offer many services, from water heater installations to oven and stove repair in Grand Cayman, to keep your home running smoothly. Get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment!