Home Appliances

Household appliances make life simpler, more convenient and a lot easier for the majority of Americans. Refrigerators have changed the way people buy and store their food. Ovens have changed the way people cook their food. Dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers have changed the way people clean. These common household appliances exist in many homes across the U.S.

Refrigerator

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that, as of 2009, 99.9 percent of all U.S. households included a refrigerator. A refrigerator keeps perishable foods cool, thereby allowing foods in a household to last longer. Refrigerators vary by size from compact to large. Most refrigerators have a larger portion for basic cooling and a smaller portion for freezing. The freezer can sit on the top, bottom or side by side. With proper maintenance, a refrigerator can last an average of 20 years, according to the University of Illinois.

Oven

Many households have a combined oven and range unit. The oven has a large interior area for baking and the ability to heat foods to high degrees. Many ovens also have the option to broil foods, which provides an intense heat. The range has four smaller burners used for cooking with pans and griddles. Ovens and ranges can use either electricity or gas as a power source. The University of Illinois reports that an oven and range can last for up to 18 years with proper maintenance.

Dishwasher

A dishwasher replaces the need to hand wash and dry dishes. Dishwashers work by filling the cavity of the appliance with water, releasing the dishwashing detergent and running the dishes through several high-powered rinse cycles. Most dishwashers have the ability to run the water inside on either a cool or hot setting. Dishwashers also have the option of using heat to dry the dishes, or allowing them to air dry inside the appliance. Dishwashers last an average of 12 years with proper care, according to the University of Illinois.

Clothes Washer and Dryer

A clothes washer replaces hand washing. The clothes washer holds dirty clothing in a bin, and spins the clothing with a mixture of water and detergent. Most clothes washers have several settings that allow the user to increase or decrease the intensity of the cleaning cycles for different types of fabrics. Clothes washers also have different temperature settings. The dryer replaces the need to hang clothes on the line. The dryer uses electricity or gas to simultaneously heat and spin clothing until dry. Most dryers have multiple spin and heat settings. According to the University of Illinois, a clothes washer can last an average of 13 years, while a dryer can last an average of 18 years with proper maintenance.