Oven Longevity: How Long Should Your Oven Last and When to Replace It

When you think about oven longevity, how long a home oven stays functional before needing repair or replacement. Also known as oven lifespan, it’s not just about how many years it’s been sitting in your kitchen—it’s about performance, safety, and cost over time. Most electric ovens last between 10 and 15 years if they’re treated right. But that’s not a guarantee. Some fail after 7 years. Others keep going past 20. What’s the difference? It’s not magic. It’s how often you clean it, whether you ignore strange smells or uneven heating, and if you’ve had the right repairs done when problems showed up.

Think of your oven like a car. If you never change the oil, it’s going to sputter. Same with ovens. Grease buildup on the heating elements, faulty door seals letting heat escape, or a worn-out control board can all shorten its life. A oven repair, fixing a broken heating element, thermostat, or control board. Also known as electric oven repair, it’s often cheaper than buying new—if your oven is under 10 years old and the fix isn’t more than half the cost of a replacement. But if your oven’s 12 years old and the repair costs $300, you’re probably better off replacing it. Newer models use 15–20% less energy, and that adds up over time. Plus, older ovens often have parts that are hard to find, meaning longer wait times and higher labor costs.

Then there’s the oven replacement, the decision to buy a new oven instead of fixing the old one. Also known as oven replacement cost, it’s not just about the price tag on the box. It’s about whether your current oven is making your kitchen unsafe—like if the door doesn’t seal, the control panel glitches, or you smell gas (even if it’s electric, faulty wiring can cause burning smells). If your bills are creeping up, your food comes out undercooked on one side, or the oven takes forever to heat up, those aren’t just inconveniences. They’re red flags that your oven’s nearing the end of its useful life.

You don’t need to wait for a total breakdown to act. Many people wait until the oven stops working completely—then panic. But the smart move is watching for the small signs: longer preheat times, inconsistent temperatures, flickering displays, or strange noises. These aren’t just annoying—they’re early warnings. Fixing them early can stretch your oven’s life by years. Ignoring them? That’s how you end up with a broken oven on Thanksgiving.

There’s no single answer to "how long should an oven last?" But there are clear patterns. Ovens with regular cleaning and timely repairs last longer. Ovens that are overloaded, abused, or left dirty don’t. And if you’re spending more on repairs than you would on a new one, it’s time to rethink your options. Below, you’ll find real-life guides that walk you through diagnosing common oven problems, comparing repair vs. replacement costs, and spotting the exact signs that say "it’s time." No fluff. Just what you need to know to make the right call—before your next bake goes wrong.