My 2 year old GE fridge recently stopped working. It made a clicking noise every couple of minutes, which I assume is the compressor trying to start up, but it never did. I replaced the start relay and capacitor, but I couldn’t get the fridge up and running again. A new compressor costs over $500 and hiring a technician to replace it costs a couple hundred more.
This frustrating and disappointing experience is the result of “planned obsolescence”. This is a business strategy in which items are designed to be obsolete, unfashionable, unusable, or defective in a short period of time. This results in us throwing away things that are basically new, purchasing replacements at a higher price point with new features. It also results in higher profit margins for manufacturers.
Although planned obsolescence is commonly discussed in terms of electronics and fast fashion, it also lurks within our homes and the construction industry. In this article, we will explore various types of planned obsolescence contributing to the failure of our homes and buildings.
1. Contrived Durability
Manufacturers intentionally reduce product lifespans, often shortly after the warranty expires, by incorporating inferior materials in critical components. Cheap plastic and soft screws replace durable metal, leading to excessive wear and tear. Take my GE fridge as an example; it failed just two years after the one-year warranty ended. In the past, the notorious Phoebus cartel reduced the life expectancy of incandescent bulbs to maximize profits.
Homes, too, suffer from contrived durability when builders prioritize meeting minimum Building Code requirements rather than using more durable materials. The use of nails instead of metal straps and cardboard thermo ply sheathing instead of OSB or plywood can collectively shorten a building’s lifespan.
2. Prevention of repairs
Modern product designs often discourage owners from repairing items by using unibody designs or soldered parts. Replacement parts are costly and challenging to find, turning once durable goods into single-use, disposable items. Apple’s use of tamper-resistant screws on their devices and Panasonic’s soldered toaster oven exemplify this strategy.
In the context of homes, frontloading washing machines with prone-to-failure drum bearings and spray foam with embedded electrical wiring and plumbing complicate repairs and remodels.
3. Systemic strategy
This strategy ensures that current product versions become incompatible with newer ones, forcing consumers to invest in new products and accessories. Think of changing charging ports on laptops and TVs, which require additional adapters. Similarly, the EPA’s ban on R-22 refrigerant drove up repair costs for air conditioners, leading homeowners to discard old units and purchase inferior replacements.
Floor designs and changing trends in home materials, such as countertops and fridge styles, are other examples of systemic strategies affecting home longevity.
4. Programming or design decisions
Poor design decisions can also lower the life expectancy of materials. Foundation repair is a HUGE business in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Homes have either had foundation repairs or will need it in the future. This is because soils here have a high clay content; they swell and shrink throughout the year. Despite knowing this, most homes have a slab-on-grade foundation instead of a pier and beam one. What’s worse is that contractors are now moving to post-tensioned slabs, which will be far more expensive to fix in the future.
5. Legal intervention
Government regulations have sometimes resulted in unintended planned obsolescence. For instance, the ban on coal-burning furnaces in favor of all-electric homes led to unforeseen challenges during blackouts.
6. Perceived obsolescence
We, as consumers, contribute to planned obsolescence by perpetuating changing trends and embracing marketing campaigns. Our inclination towards retail therapy and constantly seeking new and trendy products encourages manufacturers to churn out disposable items.
7. Layers of change
The construction industry’s layered approach contributes to planned obsolescence, as shorter-lived components often depend on longer-lasting elements. This can result in complex, expensive repairs and replacements.
Conclusion
Both manufacturers and consumers share the responsibility for the proliferation of planned obsolescence. The thrill of acquiring new gadgets is addictive, and manufacturers capitalize on this by creating disposable products. However, public education on planned obsolescence and the right to repair can empower homeowners to focus on the long-term performance and sustainability of their homes.
As we seek solutions, demystifying homes and providing comprehensive instruction manuals to homeowners can help them better understand and maintain their properties. Moreover, raising awareness about planned obsolescence will enable us to challenge the wasteful practices of corporations and strive for a more sustainable future.
