Appliance Depreciation Calculator
Estimate how a household appliance (refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, ...) loses value over its useful life using the straight-line or double-declining balance method, with a full year-by-year schedule. Estimates only — not tax or valuation advice.
Result
Year-by-year schedule
| Year | Depreciation ($) | Book value ($) |
|---|
How it works
Straight-line: (cost − salvage) ÷ life per year. Example: a $1,200 refrigerator over 5 years with no salvage value depreciates $240 per year.
Double-declining balance: 2 ÷ life × book value at the start of the year. Example: a $1,200 appliance with a 5-year life depreciates $480 in year 1 (2/5 × $1,200).
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate appliance depreciation with the straight-line method?
Subtract the salvage value from the purchase cost, then divide by the useful life in years. Example: a $1,200 refrigerator with a 5-year life and no salvage value depreciates $240 per year.
How does the double-declining balance method work for appliances?
Multiply the book value at the start of the year by 2 divided by the useful life. Example: a $1,200 appliance with a 5-year life depreciates $480 in year 1 (2/5 x $1,200). This calculator can switch to straight-line automatically when it gives a larger deduction.
What useful life should I use for common household appliances?
Typical useful life presets: refrigerator 10 years, washing machine 8 years, dryer 8 years, air conditioner 7 years, dishwasher 7 years, oven 8 years, television 6 years, microwave 5 years, vacuum cleaner 5 years.
What is the difference between straight-line and declining balance depreciation?
Straight-line spreads depreciation evenly across the useful life, giving the same deduction every year. Double-declining balance front-loads depreciation, giving larger deductions in early years and smaller ones later.
Disclaimer: Estimates only — not tax, accounting, or valuation advice. Actual appliance depreciation depends on brand, usage, and local tax rules.
Free tool by NRTechStudio