San Diego real estate blog - Peter Toner

The National Association of Home Builders recently published a study on the life expectancy of home components. The study’s results are valuable to a variety of audiences: from the home buyer who is on the market and considering an older home with components that have not been recently upgraded, to those who are selling their home and are considering whether or not upgrading their home will improve it’s value and finally, it is most useful to the faithful homeowner who purchased their home new and have no plans to sell in the future.

Many of the components of a home will remain functional and dependable for many years but new styles and consumer preferences will make them dispensable, while other components of the home will require more frequent replacement due to extensive use. Appliances are the most common component that is replaced much earlier than necessary due to changes in appearance and style rather then when they are no longer functional. You would be surprised at their lifespan when not considering aesthetic value to the home.

The Study published the following life expectancies for home components. The gas range lasts the longest at 15 years, dryers and refrigerators last approximately 13 years, dishwashers last 9 years, microwave ovens last 9 years and compactors last 6 years. The cabinets in the kitchen are expected to last up to 50 years, and the shelves are expected to last a lifetime. The chimney, fireplaces and brick vaneers of a home are the most resilient and can last a lifetime. The popular cultured marble countertops being installed in homes can last for approximately 20 years. Electrical wiring and lighting are expected to last over 10 years. Modified acrylic kitchen sinks can last up to 50 years and their faucets will function for up to 15 years. With the proper maintenance and normal traffic carpet will last 8-10 years, linoleum up to 25 years, vinyl up to 50, and lastly natural wood flooring as well as marble, slate and granite can last up to 100 years. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are the items in a home that will need to be maintained on a more frequent basis in order for them to work efficiently during their expected lifetimes of 15 – 25 years respectively.

The study was done for informational purposes and should only be used as a guideline for homeowners to review. To view the full report visit the National Association of Home Builders website www.nahb.org click on Newsroom and then Reports to view the Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components February 2007.