Last updated: November 1, 2026
How long should a fridge last? Is a 10-year-old washer worth fixing? How much energy does an older appliance really waste? People ask us these questions every week, and the answers online are often unsourced numbers copied from site to site. This page pulls together appliance lifespan, reliability, repair-vs-replace, energy and right-to-repair figures in one place, and every number links to the page it comes from so you can check it yourself.
We’ll review this page at least once a year and update any figure when its source changes.
Quick Stats Summary
- A refrigerator has an estimated life expectancy of 9 to 13 years, a dishwasher 9 years and a clothes dryer 13 years (InterNACHI).
- Washing machines range widely, from 5 to 15 years (InterNACHI).
- Consumer Reports’ long-standing rule: don’t spend more than 50 percent of the cost of a new product repairing an old one (Consumer Reports).
- Refrigerators with icemakers were found to be twice as likely to break down as those without (Consumer Reports).
- An old refrigerator uses about 35% more energy on average than an ENERGY STAR certified model (Natural Resources Canada).
- Canada’s e-waste generation rose from 8.3 kg per person in 2000 to 25.3 kg in 2020, close to a million tonnes in 2020 alone (University of Waterloo).
- Canada’s Copyright Act repair amendment (Bill C-244) received royal assent on November 7, 2024 (Justice Laws Website).
Average Lifespan by Appliance
The most widely cited figures come from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). Its Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes lists these averages, based on regular recommended maintenance and normal wear and tear:
| Appliance | Estimated life expectancy |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 9 to 13 years |
| Freezer | 10 to 20 years |
| Dishwasher | 9 years |
| Washing machine | 5 to 15 years |
| Clothes dryer | 13 years |
| Electric range | 13 to 15 years |
| Gas range | 15 to 17 years |
| Gas oven | 10 to 18 years |
| Microwave oven | 9 years |
| Range/oven hood | 14 years |
InterNACHI is clear that these are guidelines, not guarantees. Life expectancy depends heavily on how much an appliance is used, and the chart notes that people often replace appliances long before they wear out because of changes in style, technology and preferences. In practice, a washer for a family of five works far harder than one in a downtown condo, and a fridge with dusty condenser coils works harder than one that gets cleaned.
Most Common Failures by Appliance
Large, current failure-rate studies broken down by part are hard to find in public sources, so we’ve kept numbers here to what’s published. The most useful published findings come from Consumer Reports’ repair-history survey (2011):
- Refrigerators: side-by-side models were among the most repair-prone products, and fridges with icemakers were twice as likely to break down as those without. Consumer Reports put this down to the icemaker’s complicated design and the harsh environment it works in.
- Washers: front-loaders were more repair-prone than top-loaders, with the large rubber door gasket as the common culprit, plus mould.
- Dryers: along with electric cooktops, dryers had some of the highest repair success and satisfaction rates.
- Cooking and built-ins: repairs on gas cooktops and built-in refrigerators were more often frustrating because they took a long time, cost a lot or needed more service calls.
From the calls we take, the problems behind most service requests are easy to describe even without percentages: fridges that stop cooling in the fresh-food section, dishwashers and washers that won’t drain, dryers that tumble but don’t heat, and ovens or ranges with a failed element or igniter. If you’re dealing with one of these, our step-by-step guides cover a dishwasher not draining, a washer not draining and a dryer not heating.
Repair vs Replace: Published Rules of Thumb
The 50% rule. Consumer Reports has long advised that you shouldn’t spend more than 50 percent of the cost of a new product repairing an old one. Its 2011 survey release also noted that major appliances usually have long service lives, which is why it generally recommends keeping them longer than electronics.
Factor in age. Consumer Reports now offers a repair-or-replace tool that weighs the appliance’s age, the repair cost and the price of a new one, using member survey data and product-specific depreciation rates. A simple way to apply the same thinking at home: compare your appliance’s age with the life expectancy in the table above. A repair on a fridge that’s 4 years into a 9-to-13-year life is usually a better bet than the same repair at year 14.
Independent vs factory service. In the same 2014 Consumer Reports release, people who used independent repair shops were more satisfied with their repairs than those who used factory service, and people with service contracts or extended warranties weren’t any happier with their repairs.
Don’t forget the running cost. If the appliance is old and inefficient, replacing it may save energy every year (see the next section). If it’s fairly new, a repair usually keeps an efficient machine running for years.
Energy Use and Efficiency Statistics
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) publishes average savings for ENERGY STAR certified appliances compared with standard models:
- Refrigerators: an ENERGY STAR fridge uses 9% less energy on average than a standard model, and an old refrigerator uses about 35% more energy than a certified one.
- Clothes washers: a certified washer uses 25% less energy and 33% less water on average.
- Clothes dryers: a certified dryer uses 20% less energy on average, and heat pump dryers save 20-60% more than standard models.
- Dishwashers: a certified dishwasher uses 12% less energy and 30% less water on average, and less than 15 litres of water per cycle.
The long-term trend is even more striking. NRCan’s EnerGuide appliance guide reports that new refrigerators in 2010 used at least 70% less energy than models produced in 1990. A standard top-mount fridge of 16.5-18.4 cu. ft. dropped from 1,044 kWh per year in 1990 to 427 kWh in 2010. The same guide says an older second fridge you’re not using probably uses twice as much energy as your newer one, so unplug it.
Maintenance matters too. NRCan recommends cleaning fridge condenser coils regularly and cleaning the dryer lint trap after every load, because restricted airflow makes the motor work harder and use more energy.
Appliance Waste and Right-to-Repair in Canada
E-waste is growing. The first comprehensive estimate of e-waste in Canada by University of Waterloo researchers (2023) found that it more than tripled over two decades, reaching close to a million tonnes in 2020. Per person, it rose from 8.3 kg in 2000 to 25.3 kg in 2020. By weight, large household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines dominate the stream. The researchers called for more attention to repair, refurbishment and extending product life, not just recycling.
Federal right-to-repair steps:
- Bill C-244, which amends the Copyright Act to allow getting around digital locks solely to diagnose, maintain or repair a product, received royal assent on November 7, 2024.
- Bill C-294 (interoperability) received royal assent the same day.
- Bill C-59 amended the Competition Act to cover refusing to provide the means to diagnose or repair a product, and received royal assent on June 20, 2024.
- Following a Budget 2024 commitment, the federal government ran a public consultation on right to repair for home appliances and consumer electronics from June 28 to September 26, 2024.
Disposing of an old appliance in Toronto: the City picks up appliances as oversized and metal items set out beside your garbage bin on collection day. Leave 0.5 metres between items and remove the doors from refrigerators, ovens and other appliances first.
How to Cite This Page
You’re welcome to quote these statistics. Please cite the original source linked beside each figure, and link to this page if you used it to find them:
I-Fix Appliance Repair. "Appliance Lifespan and Repair Statistics (Updated 2026)." Last updated November 1, 2026. https://ifixappliances.ca/appliance-repair-statistics/
FAQ
How long do appliances last on average?
According to InterNACHI, roughly 9 to 13 years for a refrigerator, 9 years for a dishwasher and microwave, 13 years for a dryer, 5 to 15 years for a washer, and 13 to 17 years for a range depending on whether it’s electric or gas.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old appliance?
It depends on the appliance and the repair. A 10-year-old gas range is still within its expected life, while a 10-year-old dishwasher is past the average. Consumer Reports suggests not spending more than 50% of the price of a new product on a repair, and its newer tool also weighs age and depreciation.
Which appliances break down most often?
In Consumer Reports’ 2011 survey, side-by-side refrigerators were among the most repair-prone products, fridges with icemakers were twice as likely to break down as those without, and front-load washers were more repair-prone than top-loaders.
Does replacing an old fridge save energy?
Often, yes. NRCan says an old refrigerator uses about 35% more energy on average than an ENERGY STAR certified model, so if a very old fridge needs a major repair, the running costs are worth factoring in.
Does Canada have a right-to-repair law?
Partly. Copyright Act amendments for repair (C-244) and interoperability (C-294) became law in November 2024, and the Competition Act now covers refusing to provide the means to diagnose or repair a product. The federal government also consulted the public in 2024 to help shape a broader right-to-repair approach for home appliances and consumer electronics.
Get an Honest Repair-or-Replace Opinion
Numbers help, but your appliance’s actual condition matters most. If something in your kitchen or laundry room has stopped working and you’re not sure whether it’s worth fixing, the I-Fix team can diagnose it and give you a straight answer. We serve homes in Toronto, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke. Contact us to book a visit.