When deciding to invest in an Austin rental property, one of the most important things you can note about the purchase is the condition of things around the house and how much time you think you’ll have until major replacements will need to be made on the property and its components.
So how long is your Austin rental home’s life expectancy?
How long can you expect your washer and dryer to last? What about the HVAC system you just installed? The plumbing?
Below we review the estimated life expectancies for all of these different components of your rental home and how long they should remain functional for you or your tenants! This data was compiled by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and should not be considered an exact guideline or relied upon for warranties or as guarantees.
Austin Rental Home Appliance Life Expectancies
Starting with the appliances around your Austin rental home, it’s best to note that the user is a big factor in the longevity of your appliances. Life expectancies for the appliances in your Austin, Texas rental property based on InterNACHI’s findings are as follows:
| Appliance | Life Expectancy |
| A/C Window Unit | 5 to 7 years |
| Trash Compactor | 6 Years |
| Dehumidifier | 8 Years |
| Dishwasher | 9 Years |
| Garbage Disposal | 12 Years |
| Plastic Dryer Vent | 5 Years |
| Steel Dryer Vent | 20 Years |
| Dryer | 13 Years |
| Exhaust Fans | 10 Years |
| Freezer | 10 to 20 Years |
| Gas Oven | 10 to 18 Years |
| Hand Dryer | 10 to 12 Years |
| Humidifier | 8 Years |
| Microwave Oven | 9 Years |
| Range/Oven Hood | 14 Years |
| Electric Range | 13 to 15 Years |
| Gas Range | 15 to 17 Years |
| Refrigerator | 9 to 13 Years |
| Swamp Cooler | 5 to 15 Years |
| Washing Machine | 5 to 15 Years |
| Whole-House Vacuum System | 20 Years |
An important aspect of any rental home located in Texas is the life expectancy of the HVAC systems around the home. Review the below life expectancies for these systems in your Austin rental property:
| HVAC System | Life Expectancy |
| Central A/C | 7 to 15 Years |
| Air Exchanger | 15 Years |
| Attic Fan | 15 to 25 Years |
| Boiler | 40 Years |
| Burner | 10+ Years |
| Ceiling Fan | 5 to 10 Years |
| Chimney Cap (concrete) | 100+ Years |
| Chimney Cap (metal) | 10 to 20 Years |
| Chimney Cap (mortar) | 15 Years |
| Chimney Flue Tile | 40 to 120 Years |
| Condenser | 8 to 20 Years |
| Dampers | 20+ Years |
| Dehumidifier | 8 Years |
| Diffusers, Grilles and Registers | 25 Years |
| Ducting | 60 to 100 Years |
| Electric Radiant Heater | 40 Years |
| Evaporative Cooler | 15 to 25 Years |
| Furnace | 15 to 25 Years |
| Gas Fireplace | 15 to 25 Years |
| Heat Exchanger | 10 to 15 Years |
| Heat Pump | 10 to 15 Years |
| Heat-Recovery Ventilator | 20 Years |
| Hot-Water and Steam-Radiant Boiler | 40 Years |
| Humidifier | 12 Years |
| Induction and Fan-Coil Units | 10 to 15 Years |
| Thermostats | 35 Years |
| Ventilator | 7 Years |
Austin Rental Home Plumbing Fixture Life Expectancies
An important part of any Austin home, regardless of it being a rental property or not, is the plumbing.
| Plumbing Fixtures | Life Expectancy |
| ABS and PVC Waste Pipe | 50 to 80 Years |
| Accessible/ADA Handles | 100+ Years |
| Acrylic Kitchen Sink | 50 Years |
| Cast-Iron Bathtub | 100 Years |
| Cast-Iron Waste Pipe (above ground) | 60 Years |
| Cast-Iron Waste Pipe (below ground) | 50 to 60 Years |
| Concrete Waste Pipe | 100+ Years |
| Copper Water Lines | 70 Years |
| Enameled Steel Kitchen Sink | 5 to 10+ Years |
| Faucets and Spray Hose | 15 to 20 Years |
| Fiberglass Bathtub and Shower | 20 Years |
| Gas Lines (black steel) | 75 Years |
| Gas Lines (flex) | 30 Years |
| Hose Bibs | 20 to 30 Years |
| Instant (on-demand) Water Heater | 10 Years |
| PEX | 40 Years |
| Plastic Water Lines | 75 Years |
| Saunas/Steam Room | 15 to 20 Years |
| Sewer Grinder Pump | 10 Years |
| Shower Enclosure/Module | 50 Years |
| Shower Doors | 20 Years |
| Showerheads | 100+ Years |
| Soapstone Kitchen Sink | 100+ Years |
| Sump Pump | 7 Years |
| Toilet Tank Components | 5 Years |
| Toilets, Bidets and Urinals | 100+ Years |
| Vent Fan (ceiling) | 5 to 10 Years |
| Vessel Sink (stone, glass, porcelain, copper) | 5 to 20+ Years |
| Water Heater (conventional) | 6 to 12 Years |
| Water Line (copper) | 50 Years |
| Water Line (plastic) | 50 Years |
| Water Softener | 20 Years |
| Well Pump | 15 Years |
| Whirlpool Tub | 20 to 50 Years |
This only begins to scratch the surface for your Austin rental home. For more information and life expectancies of other systems, items and fixtures around your home visit the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
It’s important to remember that a tenant is more than likely not going to show the same respect to your home and its appliances the same you would if you were living in the property. You can help prevent problem tenants from destroying your rental home by being firm with your leasing criteria and collecting a security deposit equal to at least one month’s rent.
While the life expectancies above do factor in normal wear and tear, it also factors in proper maintenance of appliances. If you are providing tenants with any appliances that require care be sure to write this into your lease requiring the tenant to do so. Doing so can give you recourse should a tenant or resident in your home neglect addressing any issues on your appliance during their time living in your home.
Want to speak to an Austin property manager about your rental property? Contact our Austin property management company today by giving us a call at 512.615.7737.
