Study Estimates Average Life of Home Components

How long will your roof last? When will your kitchen appliances needto be replaced? Will your furnace make it through another heatingseason?

Knowing the life expectancy of your homes building components canhelp you determine how to deal with the inevitable.

The National Association of Home Builders together with Bank ofAmerica Home Equity recently created a "Life Expectancy of HomeComponents" study that outlines the longevity of housing components.What follows are some of the reports findings and tips for prolongingall your homes parts.

Appliances

According to the NAHB study, you can expect your gas range to last15 years; clothes dryers and refrigerators should last about 13;microwave ovens and dishwashers 9; and trash compactors about 6 years.

Keeping appliances clean will help them operate more efficiently.Keeping your refrigerators coils and door gasket clean will make for abetter seal, cut down on energy loss and prevent wear and tear on themotor. When it comes to the dishwasher, the more you use it, the longerit is likely to operate. Infrequent use causes gaskets to dry out andresults in leaks.

Flooring

Wood, marble, granite and slate are the most durable floor finisheswith projected life expectancy of 100 years or more. Although the NAHBstudy finds that vinyl and linoleum floors will last about 50 and 25years respectively, we believe that you will grow tired of theirappearance and rip them out well before.

Average quality carpet is rated to have a life of 8 to 10 yearsaccording to the study. When purchasing carpet keep in mind that thebetter the grade the longer it will last. It is not unusual for goodcarpet to last 20 to 30 years.

Heating and air conditioning

Heating and air conditioning systems typically last 15 to 25 years.Truth is, advancements in efficiency can make replacement after 10 to15 years a smart decision.

Until youre ready for a high-efficiency upgrade, you can keep yourheating and cooling system in peak operating condition by regularlychanging filters (every one to three months), cleaning and adjustingburners and by keeping shrubbery trimmed surrounding the airconditioners condensing unit.

Roofing

If you have a slate, copper, clay or concrete roof, chances are goodthat it will last 50 to 100 years.; asphalt shingles, about 20 years.

, more or less.

Cleanliness is again the key to longevity. Trim overhanging treesand keep valleys free of debris. Equally important is good atticventilation. Aside from helping lower your utility bill it can preventroofing material from sustaining damage due to extreme heat in summerand prevent ice dams in winter.

For more home improvement tips and information, visit the Careybrothers Web site at www.onthehouse.com.

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