179 was not retroactively removed. the law changed effective for 2018-2025. you have not described what the items were. the 179 rules are complex - certain rules for commercial real estate, certain rules for personal property, and certain other rules for other items. I have provided a link to pub 946 which goes through the various items that qualify for 179 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p946.pdf (2022 version not available) start on page 15
with a 5 year life - if that's correct - you're referring to appliances that are tangible personal property that should qualify for 179 even though there in residential real estate.
from that pub
Tangible personal property is any tangible property that is not real property. It includes the following property.
• Property contained in or attached to a building (other
than structural components), such as refrigerators,
grocery store counters, office equipment, printing
presses, testing equipment, and signs.
