How Long Do Stairlifts Last? Batteries, Servicing and Running Costs

What are the ongoing costs of a stairlift?

What affects how long a stairlift lasts?

Stairlift lifespan depends mostly on how it is used and looked after. Sources point to a few main factors:

• How often it is used. More trips mean more wear on the batteries and moving parts.
• The rider’s weight relative to the rated capacity. Dealers advise leaving headroom rather than running near the limit. See our weight limits section.
• Charging habits. Stannah says to park the lift on its charging point after every use and that leaving it off the charger for long periods can reduce battery life.
• Indoor or outdoor. Outdoor units face weather. One dealer says premium units installed indoors and serviced routinely can last up to 15 years or more.
• Servicing. ConsumerAffairs, quoting Stannah, ties lifespan closely to the care a lift receives and recommends annual servicing.
• Parts availability. One dealer says that after about 15 years, finding replacement parts becomes difficult. Ask how long parts for your model are supported.

Batteries: what to know

Stairlifts run on rechargeable batteries kept topped up from a charging point at the top or bottom of the stairs. Stannah describes two 12-volt batteries that charge whenever the lift is parked there.

• Life. About 2 to 5 years is the range most sources give. Stannah, through ConsumerAffairs, says most are made to last three to five years and should be replaced as needed rather than on a fixed schedule.
• Signs they are failing. One dealer lists the lift moving slower than usual, moving a few inches and stopping, or batteries that are flat and no longer recharge.
• Care. Park the lift on the charging point after every use, and use the manufacturer-approved batteries, as Stannah advises.
• Who fits them. Sources disagree on whether a handy owner can do this. One dealer says it means partly dismantling the chassis and that a wrong installation could create a safety risk. We would have a trained technician do it unless the manual says otherwise.
• In a power cut. Acorn says its stairlifts keep running on battery during an outage. Stannah says a full charge covers about eight return journeys.

Servicing and repairs

Manufacturers and dealers recommend an annual service. ConsumerAffairs, quoting Stannah, says the technician tests the battery voltage as part of it, and also suggests wiping the lift down weekly with a dry cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner. One dealer says a technician may also check the charging system, safety sensors, seat controls and track alignment.

Do not try to install or repair a stairlift yourself. Savaria says to always have a trained technician install one, and the same caution applies to repairs. An annual service is also a good moment to tell the technician about anything that feels different, such as noise, slower speed or a seat that feels loose.

What should you ask before you buy?

1. How long is the warranty, and what does it cover? Parts, labor and batteries are separate questions.
2. Who services it locally, and how quickly do they respond? A lift you rely on every day needs fast service, not just a warranty.
3. What does an annual service or service plan cost? Get it in writing.
4. What does a replacement set of batteries cost, and who fits it?
5. How long will parts for this model be available?
6. What happens in a power cut? Ask how many trips a full charge covers.
7. What if we move? Savaria says a straight rail can sometimes be adapted for another home after refurbishment, but a curved rail is made for one staircase and usually cannot be moved to another home.
8. If it is used or refurbished, check its age, condition, warranty, and whether parts and service will be available. See our used stairlift guide.

When should you replace rather than repair?

There is no precise rule. Reasonable signs are a lift that is well past 10 years old, frequent repair visits, and a dealer who can no longer get parts for the model. When that happens, compare the repair quote with the price of a new unit. Our cost guide has current ranges, and our alternatives guide covers options if a new stairlift is out of budget. Our guide to getting help paying for a stairlift explains what help may exist toward the cost.

Common questions

How long do stairlifts last?

Estimates vary, and we found no independent study. Manufacturer and dealer sources we read put a typical stairlift life at around 10 years, with a range from about 7 to 15 years and some units reported to last up to 20. Frequent use, heavy loads, outdoor installation and missed servicing all tend to shorten that. Ask the dealer how long parts for your model are guaranteed to be available.

How long do stairlift batteries last?

Most sources we read say about 2 to 5 years, and Stannah, through ConsumerAffairs, says most are made to last three to five. Heavy daily use sits at the short end; one dealer says 1 to 3 years with heavy use and 3 to 5 with light use. Parking the lift on its charging point after every use helps.

Do stairlifts use a lot of electricity?

No. Acorn, a stairlift manufacturer, says its straight stairlifts use about 23 kWh a year and curved ones about 35 kWh, which it compares to a small television on standby. At typical US electricity prices of roughly 15 to 30 cents per kWh, that works out to about $3 to $10 a year. That dollar figure is our own arithmetic from Acorn's numbers.

How often should a stairlift be serviced?

Manufacturers and dealers recommend an annual service, and a technician typically tests the battery voltage during the visit. Ask your dealer what the warranty requires, and ask for the price of a service visit in writing, since we could not find a manufacturer price list.

Can I replace stairlift batteries myself?

Sources disagree. Some describe it as a simple swap, while one dealer says it means partly dismantling the stairlift chassis and that fitting new batteries incorrectly could create a safety risk. Because a wrongly fitted battery can be a hazard and may affect your warranty, we would have the dealer or a trained technician do it unless the manufacturer's manual says otherwise.

Will a stairlift work in a power cut?

Battery-powered units generally keep working. Acorn says its stairlifts keep running during a power outage, and Stannah says a full charge covers about eight return journeys. The batteries only recharge when the lift is parked on a charging point and mains power is on, so check how long your model can run.

Do stairlifts damage stairs?

Savaria says a straight stairlift rail is attached to the stair treads rather than the wall and that most installations need no structural changes. Because the rail is fixed to the stairs, ask the installer what is left behind and what repair is included if the lift is later removed.