Repair vs. Replace Appliances

If you have an appliance that isn’t working right, or isn’t working at all, the first thought you may have is to replace the appliance. However, not all appliances that break require a complete replacement of the product. Sometimes, what seems like a major issue is just the need to replace a part, which only takes a few hours out of your day. Here are some options to consider when you need to decide to repair or replace your broken appliance:

There are many reasons to repair an appliance rather than simply replace it. One of these reasons is your direct effect on your environment. Every appliance that is thrown out either goes to a recycling center, where it sits and rusts, or to the garbage dump, where it takes up space and can possibly become a hazard to the environment. There are of course other reasons to repair your appliance instead of replacing it. There are some methods of determining whether or not you should repair your equipment or replace it completely.

Before You Replace the Appliance – Is it really broken?

When you go to use one of your hard earned pieces of equipment and it doesn’t work, it can be extremely frustrating. However, before you decide to replace the machine, take a deep breath and evaluate the situation. Ask yourself the following questions.

• Is the appliance plugged in all the way?
• Is the plug you are using operating correctly?
• Did the circuit breaker trip?
• Has the floor uneven? Some contraptions will not work unless they are sitting on a level surface.
• Are any of the filters, vents or traps clogged?

Check Your Warranty

Is your frustrating gadget still under warranty? If so, call a service technician to determine what the problem is and have it fixed. As long as there is still a warranty on the product, the manufacturer, or the holder of the extended warranty will pay for the repairs.

Has Your Appliance Really Reached the End of its Lifespan?

Every home contraption has what they consider a useful lifespan. After this time, your machine is probably a ticking time bomb. If your machine has surpassed its industry expected lifespan, replacing it will most likely save you money in the long run.

The average Lifespan of Common Appliances

Dishwasher – Average Lifespan – about 9 years

Garbage Disposal – Average Lifespan – about 12 years

Microwave – Average Lifespan – about 9 years

Electric Cook Range – Average Lifespan – about 13 years

Gas Cook Range – Average Lifespan – about 15 years

Standard Refrigerator – Average Lifespan – about 13 years

Washing Machine – Average Lifespan – about 10 years

Clothes Dryer – Average Lifespan – about 13 years

 

Follow the Rule of 50/50 Cost

The rule of 50/50 cost is easy to follow. If the product is at least 1/2 of the way through its average lifespan and amount of money that it will cost to repair it is 50% or more of what it would cost to buy a new machine, it is best to replace it instead of repair it. Things that should be factored into this price are the assessment cost, which is what the repair man charges to come to your house to figure out what is wrong with the appliance, the cost of the part, the price quoted for labor in repairing the machine. Keep in mind, if the repair company you have assess the machine is then hired to fix the machine; they usually wave the assessment fee.

When your appliance stops working as you have relied on it to, consider the benefits of repair vs. replacement.