Forever Replacing Household Appliances

Our central heating boiler is over ten years old and we expect to have to replace it any time soon, probably in the middle of the coldest winter since records began.

We recently replaced the washing machine, the previous one was over ten years old, and we've had the tumble drier for about nine years (it occasionally leaks).

The kitchen was renovated five years ago therefore the oven, hob, extractor hood, dish-washer and 'fridge-freezer are that age too. The oven has always leaked condensation through the door, requiring constant clearing up, and the fan button needed fixing a couple of years ago. The extractor is rarely used. We had to buy new pots and pans to use with the induction hob but it has been brilliant - until recently when, through no fault of its own, the top shattered when a heavy object fell on it. Apart from having to replace this, most of the appliances should continue to work well for some time (except the dish-washer, which is making clunking noises) and the kitchen still looks good. The 'fridge-freezer has been mostly trouble-free except for the ice dispenser which is constantly blocked; we won't be buying one of those again.

Small appliances have been replaced several times since the kitchen was fitted - we're on our third toaster, our third kettle and our second coffee pod machine.

To summarise, it seems that the cheaper the appliance, the shorter its anticipated life expectancy:

• Boiler - up to 15 years
• Large white goods - up to 10 years
• Small appliances - approximately 2 to 3 years

Financially organised people will need to put aside £50 per month into their 'household appliances replacement fund'.

h/o