Appliance Audit Index
The average lifespan of a washing machine has dropped by 1.4 years every decade since 1990. We audit the control boards and plastic gears that cause early failure.
The Control Board Crisis
Modern appliances don't fail mechanically; they fail digitally. A $400 washing machine will often require a $350 proprietary control board replacement after 3 years. We factor this 'Ticking Time Bomb' into our scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Speed Queens actually better?
Mechanically, yes. They use metal gears instead of plastic. However, they use more water and energy. Our score balances these metrics.
Why do new fridges fail so fast?
Compressor changes to meet environmental standards combined with complex in-door ice makers (which have a 40% failure rate within 4 years).