New Delhi, Dec. 19 -- Ever noticed your fridge buzzing more than usual, your mixer jar rattling oddly, or your microwave stopping mid-cycle? In India, with long power cuts, high humidity in monsoons, or dusty environments, appliances take more strain than we realise. Those small hiccups are your appliances' way of asking for a little attention. And ignoring them? That's when repairs and bills start piling up.

And no, you don't need a service engineer every month. With some small, consistent habits, you can make even today's "delicate" appliances last longer, work better, and save electricity too.

Refrigerators: 10 to 15 years

Dishwashers: 8 to 12 years

Mixer grinders: 8 to 12 years

Microwaves: 7 to 10 years

Ovens/Ranges (gas or elec...