Thread: Study of Life expectancy of Home componentS

For your info

I'm confused, how can a heat pump be expected to last longer that an AC unit.

From page 4

"Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems require proper and regular maintenance in
order to work efficiently, but even in the best case scenarios most components of such systems only
last 15 to 25 years. Furnaces on average last 15-20 years, heat pumps 16 years, and air conditioning units 10-15 years. Tankless water heaters last more than 20 years, while an electric or gas water
heater has a life expectancy of about 10 years. Thermostats usually are replaced before the end of
their 35-year lifespan due to technological improvements."

"DoorsExterior fiberglass, steel and wood doors will last as long as the house exists, while vinyl
and screen doors have a life expectancy of 20 and 40 years, respectively. Closet doors are expected
to last a lifetime, and French doors have an average life of 30 to 50 years."

40 years for a screen door .... really.
Where did they get this from
In my experience a screen door last.... 30 days or less per tenant.

- - - Updated - - -

Vinyl floors last up to 50 years

22. SIDING & ACCESSORIES
Material
Brick Lifetime
Engineered Wood Lifetime
Fiber Cement Lifetime
Manufactured Stone Lifetime
Stone Lifetime
Stucco 50-100
Vinyl Lifetime*

* Unless there are windows on the house or on nearby houses.
Or you own a grass trimmer
Or if .......

Windows: Aluminum/Aluminus Clad 15-20
This is sad but true.

In jolly old England, studies say aluminum clad wood windows last 40 yrs.

So its six years old now. Any idea when they will update it???

//Rick

Originally Posted by Rick Bunzel

So its six years old now. Any idea when they will update it???

//Rick

Obviously, the life expectancy of the study is longer than 6 years.

Originally Posted by Mike Lamb

Windows: Aluminum/Aluminus Clad 15-20
This is sad but true.

In jolly old England, studies say aluminum clad wood windows last 40 yrs.

Aluminum windows only last 15-20 years per them?

News to me ... my house is 1978 vintage with aluminum windows - that puts the windows at 35 years this year, and the only reason to replace them would be to replace them with impact windows or double-glazed insulated windows ... and replacing the existing aluminum windows for either of those reasons does not make the existing aluminum windows 'bad' or 'past their life expectancy', replacing the existing aluminum windows for those reasons just means that one is updating to a higher product standard (impact or insulated) versus the old single glazed windows.

That study seems biased toward some unstated goal for whatever reasons the authors of it had.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Aluminum windows only last 15-20 years per them?

News to me ... my house is 1978 vintage with aluminum windows - that puts the windows at 35 years this year, and the only reason to replace them would be to replace them with impact windows or double-glazed insulated windows ... and replacing the existing aluminum windows for either of those reasons does not make the existing aluminum windows 'bad' or 'past their life expectancy', replacing the existing aluminum windows for those reasons just means that one is updating to a higher product standard (impact or insulated) versus the old single glazed windows.

That study seems biased toward some unstated goal for whatever reasons the authors of it had.

I don't know what's up with the UK. Are your windows all AL?

Aluminum clad wood around here doesn't last anymore.

Originally Posted by Mike Lamb

Are your windows all AL?

Yes. Architectural bronze anodized aluminum. The anodized bronze finish has faded to a dull bronze, but that is all.

Aluminum clad wood around here doesn't last anymore.

The aluminum corrodes. wears out, or what?

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

The aluminum corrodes. wears out, or what?

The AL allows water behind it and it doesn't drain. It accelerates rot. That and inferior weather treatment of the timber. Marvin had a lawsuit against them for this a while ago.

It is chronic with 10+ yr houses. I have ID'd Jeld-Wen Norco's as one of the culprits but most the time there is no ID.

These pics are from 2 different houses.

It would be prudent for HI's to inspect these newer AL clad wood windows carefully. Look for black and note it even though you don't find actual rot. It's not unusual for window replacement to run $1000 plus per window.

158 window.JPG 176rot.jpg198ROT.jpg

Originally Posted by Mike Lamb

The AL allows water behind it and it doesn't drain. It accelerates rot. That and inferior weather treatment of the timber. Marvin had a lawsuit against them for this a while ago.

All begins and ends with proper design ... or lack of proper design ...

Any idea when they will update it???

This more comprehensive life expectancy chart for homes is updated regularly

Hi Liza

Got to hand it to InterNachi they sure do endeavour to keep abreast of all the latest data and stats on behalf of their members, not to mention the other great educational materials. I have to admit I have referred to it on many occasions myself. Recently I was reading the info on Visual Inspection of Concrete.

Thanks for the link on life expectancies.

Btw when is Nick coming up to Ontario. I would like to meet with him and have a drink or two?

Originally Posted by Lisa Endza

This more comprehensive life expectancy chart for homes is updated regularly

Is there a link to what was used as the basis in determining the numbers posted. Basically the resource data and source used. I id not see any references listed just "...these life expectancies have been determined through research and testing....". Not nitpicking, just interested in the credited sources to review.