Mrs Redshaw and her heater
Last month, as NASA celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, a far smaller milestone was being marked in a quiet Napier suburb.
Consumer member Elizabeth Redshaw’s electric radiant heater had its 60th anniversary - and unlike the now-obsolete Apollo rockets it’s still working.
Mrs Redshaw and her husband bought the 1000W single-bar Neeco radiator in 1949 and, apart from replacing the electric cord, it’s in the same condition as when they bought it. The original element still faithfully warms the legs and feet of its owner each day during winter.
Mrs Redshaw got in touch with us after reading our appliance life expectancy report, where we said radiant heaters should last 10 years or more.
Another member, Beatrice Hall, told us the names and ages of her long-lasting appliances: Toshiba food processor (23), Sunbeam toaster (25), Sunbeam food mixer (48), and Swan electric kettle (56).
Some appliances really can last a lifetime.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Appliance life expectancy - our estimate of how long appliances should last
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We bought a Prestcold freezer in 1972 and its still going strong. We would have replaced it recently with a deal where old appliances were to be disposed of for free but the retailer (100% store) wanted $35 to deliver the new one!! As there was nothing wrong with the old one we have kept it - even if it may not be as efficient as a new one!!
Congratulations to Mrs Redshaw. I own a Casio bedside alarm clock that runs on 2 x AAA batteries. I purchased it in 1988. It still works fine and moreover the batteries need changing only every seven to eight years. Most impressive.
Hearty congratulations to Mrs Redshaw! It's wonderful to see people who refuse to participate in our disposable society.
Some people seem to think that you should change your appliances just because they are out of 'fashion' so it's wonderful to be reminded there are still people as sensible as Mrs Redshaw. If it still works, keep it!