Average Lifespan Of Important Building Components

Before you put in an offer on a home and pay for an inspection it's a good idea to check the expected lifespan and age of its components. Below are some of the more expensive components and their average expected lifespans. 

Water Heater

  • Expected lifespan: 6-12 years
  • How to determine the age of a water heater​
    • For this example we have a Reliance water heater with serial number 1109J004915 (the name plate is usually on the side of the water heater). 
  • Look up the manufacturer "Reliance" here
  • Find a serial number style similar to our water heater (style 4 for this example).  From this diagram we can see that Reliance coded the year into the first two digits of the serial number. Our water heater was manufactured in 2011 making it 8 years old and near the end of its expected 6-12 year lifespan.   

Heating and Air Conditioning

  • Expected lifespan
    • Gas furnace: 16-25 years
    • Electric heaters: 40 years
    • Heat pump: 15 years
    • Air Conditioning: 7-15 years
  • To determine the age of a heater or A/C in this example click here and find the manufacturer "Payne."
  • Note: the name plates for most heaters are inside the heater compartment. 
  • Find a serial number style similar to our heater or A/C (style 1).  From this diagram we can see that Payne coded the year into the third and fourth digits of the serial number. Our heater was manufactured in 1998 making it 21 years old and near the end of its expected 16-25 year lifespan.  

Plumbing

Roofing

Other

For more components and their lifespans please see INTERNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes.