Methodology
In January 2025, we surveyed 1,007 homeowners across the U.S. about their appliances. Did they even know how old they were? Do they maintain them? 50% were women, 49% were men, and 1% were either nonbinary or chose not to disclose; ages ranged from 18 to 75 with an average age of 43.
84% Own an Appliance Past Its Original Warranty
It turns out that homeowners are using older appliances: nearly 1 in 2 admit to worrying about appliance failure in 2025, and 23% admit to not maintaining their appliances at all. This can spell trouble when appliances break- costly trouble.
Some homeowners take an “if it isn’t broken, don’t replace it” mindset towards their appliances, with 76% opting to wait until failure to replace an appliance. 50% have an appliance that only partially works, like a refrigerator with a broken water filter; of those homeowners, 1 in 5 keep that appliance because they can’t afford a new one.
Some homeowners don’t really consider the lifespan of their appliances or the potential implications of older appliances. 62% have the same appliances in their home as when they bought it, and 15% don’t know the age of their appliances. Others have very old appliances; over 1 in 10 have at least one appliance that’s 20 years or older, with 1 in 3 saying their refrigerator is their oldest appliance. The vast majority - 84% - of homeowners have at least one appliance past its original manufacturer’s warranty, which means any repairs or replacements would be a cost burden on them. Concerningly, 32% don’t have any money saved for appliance failure.
Finding a quality appliance can also be difficult; 59% of homeowners say that modern appliances are lower quality than those made ten years ago. However, modern appliances also typically mean more energy-efficient and smart appliances are gaining popularity among homeowners.
Over half own at least one smart appliance, though 26% are concerned their smart appliances are secretly recording them. 84% of homeowners own at least 1 energy-efficient appliance, and well over half (57%) say that their utility bills have decreased since purchasing it. They boast an average utility savings of $455 monthly. Unfortunately, some notice a tradeoff of energy efficiency for power; 1 in 4 say their energy-efficient appliances aren’t as strong as their regular appliances.
