Jason Miller

This site is owned and operated by Jason Miller, who built HowLongItLasts.com as a research-driven guide to appliance longevity, repair costs, and common failure patterns. Jason oversees all editorial standards, testing methodology, and data integrity across the site. His background combines hands-on experience with mechanical systems, teardown-based product evaluations, and extensive analysis of long-term owner reports. Over the years, Jason has developed a practical framework for evaluating how design choices, component quality, and usage habits affect real-world lifespan. He regularly reviews service bulletins, speaks with repair technicians, and studies parts sourcing trends to understand which failures are typical and which indicate a deeper underlying issue. His goal is to give readers clear, straightforward information without the sales-driven bias commonly found in mainstream appliance content. Jason continues to refine the site’s research library with updated field data, new model-family patterns, and technician insights to ensure accuracy as the appliance market evolves.

How Appliance Design Has Changed in the Last 30 Years

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modern appliance design

Modern appliances don’t fail the way older machines did, and that difference catches many owners off guard. After years of repairing, replacing, and living with them, I’ve learned that today’s designs trade simplicity and forgiveness for efficiency and electronics. When something goes wrong, it’s often sudden, expensive, and confusing unless you understand how these machines are built now. This piece explains what changed, why failures feel different, and how to adjust your expectations.

The Appliance Repairs I Would Never Pay For

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Appliance Repair

Not every appliance repair that works ends up being a good decision. This article reflects on repairs I’ve seen that seemed reasonable at the time but often led to repeat failures, rising costs, or ongoing performance issues. It looks at how appliances age as systems rather than isolated parts and why some fixes are better avoided. The goal is to help homeowners recognize when repairing stops making sense.

Frigidaire Dishwasher Troubleshooting Guide for Common Failures

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Frigidaire Dishwasher Troubleshooting

Frigidaire dishwashers commonly experience issues with draining, poor cleaning, heating, and electronic controls as they age, especially after 5–7 years. Most problems trace back to pumps, heaters, sensors, or door-related switches rather than the tub itself. This guide walks through Frigidaire-specific symptoms, error codes, diagnostic logic, and how technicians determine the correct repair.

Maytag Dishwasher Poor Cleaning: Step by Step Repair

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Maytag Dishwasher Poor Cleaning

Maytag dishwashers that are not cleaning properly usually suffer from restricted spray arm flow, circulation pump wear, or heating-related issues rather than detergent problems. This guide explains how technicians diagnose poor cleaning in Maytag dishwashers, what typically restores performance, and when repair no longer makes sense.

How Long Do Kenmore Dryers Last? Lifespan By Era, Design, And Real Use

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Kenmore Dryer Lifespan

Kenmore dryers typically last 10–14 years with average household use, though lifespan varies widely by model generation and internal design. Older, mechanically simple units often exceed that range, while newer electronic models trend slightly lower. This article explains real-world Kenmore dryer longevity, common wear points, and how technicians judge remaining life.