How Long Does a Whirlpool Refrigerator Last? (Important Facts)

When purchasing a refrigerator for a home or office, the one thing that’s common among most buyers is the curiosity about the purchased appliance’s longevity and how long until they have to break the bank again.

Of course, you’d want your investment to give solid returns and last for decades to come, to be inherited by your children, and so on.

But that’s a fairytale.

If you plan on investing in a Whirlpool refrigerator, this article is all you need to inform yourself about the durability of the potential purchase.

Read on to learn more.

How Long Does Whirlpool Refrigerator Last?

On average, Whirlpool refrigerators can last up to 14 years, but some models can reach 17 or even 20 years. In any case, a thorough understanding of the refrigeration appliance and consistent maintenance can ensure that you get the most out of your investment.

How Many Years Can You Expect from Whirlpool Refrigerator?

Being one of the most reputable refrigerator brands in the world, we would expect Whirlpool to outlive its competitors and provide maximum product longevity.

And more so than not, the American brand has delivered some of the highest-end refrigerators, carefully designed to make kitchen tasks simpler.

The average life span of a Whirlpool refrigerator is 14 years, but they can last up to 20  years if taken care of properly, which is significantly more than any other brand.

For example, reputable brands like Samsung and LG last for an average of ten years.

So in comparison, if product longevity is the number one priority in your books, then investing in a Whirlpool appliance can be your best bet.

How Soon Should You Expect Problems with Whirlpool Refrigerator?

Most whirlpool refrigeration appliances come with a five-year limited warranty against any faulty parts or design abnormalities. You can take a good look at it here.

However, unfortunately, these warranty assurances aren’t a one-way ticket to a peaceful decade.

A survey suggests that most electrical appliances suffer from technical faults and require repairing in the first five years of purchase. And refrigerators have it worse.

The same source also uncovers that almost 25 percent of all store-bought refrigerators will need a hands-on repair between two to three years of purchase.

These stats make one wonder if paying a hefty $2000 bill is worth it.

But there is a silver lining. Read on.

How Reliable Whirlpool Refrigerator?

Whirlpool is a highly reliable Refrigerator, with a recent study demonstrating promising statistics, standing above other manufacturers in quality, reliability, and ease of usage.

Of 40% of refrigerators that needed one or more repairs in the first five years, only 25% were from the top brands, like Whirlpool

If the above statistics have you puzzled, we have another study by the New York Times that may give you a clearer picture of the story.

The report suggested that 40.6 percent of Whirlpool refrigerator owners were very satisfied with their purchase (35.2 percent were somewhat satisfied, and 3.7 percent were very dissatisfied).

These numbers are on par with Samsung’s performance and only come second to the mighty LG.

So if you’re looking for your best bet in a vast yet uncertain market, Whirlpool can match your expectations.

The Best and Worst Model of the Whirlpool Refrigerator:

Whirlpool is known for its simplicity and elegance, where the company mostly avoids any flashy features to keep the appliances stable and problem-free.

And they perfectly implemented this approach to develop a French-Door model that is ideal for most people.

Hence, taking the crown for the best whirlpool refrigerator is Whirlpool WRF535SWHZ French-Door Refrigerator.

It has a three-door system made from durable stainless steel, and the surface stays clean with a fingerprint-resistant coating.

You will also find an in-built ice maker and an interior water dispenser. And to top everything off, it comes with internal LED lighting, so your food looks as good as it tastes.

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Whirlpool all these years, and they made some blunders too.

One of the most talked-about products that got severe backlash from the community due to flawed design is Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ Side-by-Side Refrigerator.

Not only was the attached ice maker broken, but the space distribution inside the unit was abysmal.

Low-quality handles, narrow door shelves, alignment issues, motor noises, and the list goes on.

Whirlpool now sells a refurbished refrigerator model with claims that their experts fixed the ever-so daunting problems.

Tips To Prolong the Life of Your Whirlpool Refrigerator:

Lastly, we want to help you learn the best practices that may help you increase your Whirlpool refrigerator’s life and prevent many unseen problems. Here they are:

• Condenser coil cleanup:

The condenser coil is a hotbed for bacteria, dust, hair, and other debris getting stuck behind or underneath it.

This accumulation of particles lowers the efficiency of your condenser, and if not adequately dealt with, can reduce the longevity of your appliance.

A simple way you can clean the condenser coil is by vacuuming it every few months, so your refrigerator performs well as new.

• Top Of the Fridge Is No-Item Zone:

If you own an unmounted fridge with a bare top, you may have noticed a plethora of kitchen stuff sitting on top of it, such as keys, ornaments, fruit baskets, etc.

Although it may look harmless to use the space for storage, keeping things on top of a refrigerator significantly reduces its ability to dissipate heat, hence forcing the motor to function more aggressively than usual.

• Maintain the Seals:

The door gaskets (or seals) play a significant role in keeping the cool air inside the fridge.

But a malfunctioning seal with even a small incision can allow the hot air inside and let the bacteria to grow inside the unit due to dropping temperatures.

• Regular, Thorough Maintenance: 

As the wise men say, things last for longer when you take care of them.

This statement is true for Whirlpool refrigerators too.

Plan and execute regular cleaning plans, defrost the freezer every few weeks, and scrub the shelves to remove any spilled liquids or debris.

Conclusion:

Whirlpool refrigerators have a 14-year average life lifetime, but they may last up to 20 years if properly maintained, which is much longer than other manufacturers.

We hope this article helped you understand the longevity of the Whirlpool refrigerators and now you can make an informed purchase possibly free of any disappointments.

We advise you to purchase the product from a reliable source such as directly from the company or Amazon.

So, in case, there is an issue, you can get it resolved easily.

Cheers!

Related Articles

References

  • How Long Will Your Appliances Last? – Consumer Reports
  • The Best Refrigerators 2021 | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)