5 min read
Average Home Maintenance Cost Per Year
Homeowners spent about $3,200 a year on maintenance and repairs in 2025, or $265 a month. Hiring pros for every task runs about $10,900.
September 27, 2026Read →
4 min read
What Should an Appliance Age Calculator Tell You?
Knowing the manufacture year is only the starting point. A useful result also shows where that age sits in a typical lifespan, what maintenance makes sense now, and how age affects a repair-or-replace decision.
September 19, 2026Read →
7 min read
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
The fall tasks that actually prevent winter damage — furnace and water heater prep, outdoor plumbing, gutters, sealing, and safety checks — plus how appliance age changes what "get it serviced" should mean.
September 18, 2026Read →
Dryer6 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Dryer?
A dryer installed runs $500 to $2,475, with the unit itself $450 to $2,300. Repair costs by part — and why a dryer is usually worth fixing instead.
September 13, 2026Read →
Dryer6 min read
How Long Does a Dryer Last?
A dryer lasts 10 to 15 years, averaging about 13 — gas or electric makes no real difference. What shortens it, and the most common problems by rate.
September 13, 2026Read →
Dryer6 min read
Should You Repair or Replace a Dryer?
Repair a dryer almost every time — belts, fuses, and heating elements are cheap and the machine is simple. Replace only for a cracked drum or a motor past 12.
September 13, 2026Read →
Washing Machine6 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Washing Machine?
A washing machine installed runs $500 to $2,175, with the unit itself $450 to $2,000+. Repairs by part, and what pushes the price up.
September 13, 2026Read →
Washing Machine6 min read
How Long Does a Washing Machine Last?
A washing machine lasts 8 to 14 years, averaging about 10. What shortens it, the LG Direct Drive exception, and when the age alone says replace.
September 13, 2026Read →
Washing Machine6 min read
Should You Repair or Replace a Washing Machine?
Repair a washing machine under about 5 years old if the fault is a cheap part. Replace it past year 9, if it walks or floods, or if the quote tops half a new unit.
September 13, 2026Read →
Refrigerator6 min read
How Long Does a Refrigerator Last?
A refrigerator lasts 10 to 18 years, averaging about 13. What shortens that, the signs it's near the end, and when age alone says replace.
September 11, 2026Read →
Refrigerator6 min read
How Much Is a Refrigerator Compressor to Replace?
A fridge compressor costs roughly $200–$400 for the part alone; replacing a refrigerator compressor typically runs $700–$1,250, including $500–$850 for labor. Whether it’s worth repairing depends on warranty coverage, refrigerator age, the exact repair required and the cost of a comparable replacement.
September 11, 2026Read →
Refrigerator5 min read
Should You Repair or Replace a Refrigerator?
Replace a refrigerator if the compressor fails past 10 years old, it runs constantly, or the repair tops half a new unit's price. Otherwise, repair it.
September 11, 2026Read →
Dishwasher6 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Dishwasher?
A new dishwasher installed costs $1,200 to $1,360 on average, with most homeowners paying $540 to $2,175. The unit alone runs $380 to $2,300.
September 11, 2026Read →
Dishwasher6 min read
How Long Does a Dishwasher Last?
Most dishwashers last 7–12 years, about 9 years on average — what affects that range and when repair stops making sense.
September 11, 2026Read →
Dishwasher5 min read
Should You Repair or Replace a Dishwasher?
Replace a dishwasher if it pools water, has visible rust, leaks despite a new gasket, or a major repair tops half a new unit's price. Otherwise, repair it.
September 11, 2026Read →
Furnace & Heating7 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Furnace?
Most furnace replacements cost $2,800–$6,900 installed, with ~$4,800 a useful planning figure. Fuel type, efficiency, size and installation work can move that considerably.
September 10, 2026Read →
Furnace & Heating6 min read
How Long Does a Furnace Last?
Most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years. Good installation, maintenance, climate and furnace type can push some beyond that range — what to expect at each stage.
September 10, 2026Read →
Furnace & Heating6 min read
Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace?
Repair usually wins when a furnace is younger, the heat exchanger is sound, and the fault is an isolated part. Replacement becomes more attractive past ~15 years, with frequent or costly repairs, or a major safety-critical failure.
September 10, 2026Read →
Air Conditioning5 min read
How Much Does an AC Capacitor Replacement Cost?
An AC capacitor costs $80 to $400 to replace, about $175 on average. The part is only $8 to $45 — the rest is the service call and labor.
September 10, 2026Read →
Air Conditioning6 min read
How Long Does an AC Last?
A central air conditioner lasts 15 to 20 years — 12 to 17 in a hot, heavy-use climate. The signs it's near the end, and when age alone says replace.
September 10, 2026Read →
Air Conditioning7 min read
How Much Does an AC Compressor Cost to Replace?
A central AC compressor costs $800 to $2,800 to replace, about $1,550 installed. On a unit over 10 years old, replacing the whole system is often smarter.
September 10, 2026Read →
Water Heater5 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Heater?
A tank swap runs $900–$2,200 installed in 2026 (~$1,300 average). Heat pump $2,000–$3,800; a tankless conversion $3,000+. Full breakdown.
September 9, 2026Read →
Water Heater5 min read
How Long Does a Water Heater Last?
A tank water heater lasts 8 to 15 years; most get replaced at 10 to 12. Tankless runs 15 to 20+. The anode rod decides which end you land on.
September 9, 2026Read →
Water Heater5 min read
Should You Repair or Replace a Water Heater?
Repair a water heater under ~8 years if the fault is one part. Replace it at 10+, if the tank leaks, or if the repair tops half the cost of a new one.
September 9, 2026Read →
Water Heater6 min read
How Much Does a Tankless Water Heater Cost?
A tankless water heater runs about $2,500 installed in 2026 — $1,400–$3,000 electric, $2,100–$4,500 gas. What drives the number, and why switching from a tank adds $3,000+.
September 9, 2026Read →
Garbage Disposal4 min read
Should You Repair or Replace a Garbage Disposal?
Replace a garbage disposal if it leaks from the body, is 9+ years old with a fault, or the repair tops half a new unit. Otherwise it's a cheap fix.
September 9, 2026Read →
Garbage Disposal5 min read
How Long Does a Garbage Disposal Last? The Average Life
The average life of a garbage disposal is about 12 years, and most last 8 to 15. How it's used matters more than age — here's what wears one out and the signs it's done.
September 9, 2026Read →
Garbage Disposal5 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Garbage Disposal?
A new garbage disposal runs $130–$350 for the unit and $100–$250 for a plumber to fit it — less if you do it yourself. Plus when a repair is the smarter buy.
September 8, 2026Read →