From readying our dishes for the next meal to retaining the charm of our favorite clothes, we bank on household appliances to manage it all.
As such, it becomes crucial to find the ideal fix when one or more of them goes out of order. You’ll need to decide whether to repair or replace the appliance altogether, which can seem tricky at first thought. After all, your choice will depend upon different factors.
But don’t worry; we’ve brought you this simplified guide to help you make the right decision. Go ahead and give it a read.
Should You Repair Or Replace Your Appliances?
Before we help you decide between repairing and replacing a faulty home appliance, let’s talk about certain vital aspects you’ll need to consider beforehand.
1. Signs That An Appliance Is Malfunctioning
Here are some common signs that will tell you all isn’t well with your appliance:
- The appliance isn’t working as efficiently as before.
- It has stopped working altogether.
- You can hear strange noises from the appliance.
- Water is leaking from the appliance.
- It produces a burning smell after being switched on.
2. Check Other External Factors
Apart from checking the appliance itself, you should examine its surroundings because the fault might lie in an external electrical fixture or a part of the room. That can prevent the appliance from turning on even though it is functioning properly otherwise.
So, make sure that:
- There’s no trip in the circuit breakers.
- There are no clogs in the filters and vents.
- The floors are even.
3. Check The Warranty
When it comes to repairing or replacing appliances, the warranty is undoubtedly a key consideration. If you find any fault in the device, check the manual provided with the unit or relevant purchase documents to find out whether its warranty is still applicable.
Keep in mind that the warranty on most large appliances covers parts and labor for one year, while some brands extend the parts coverage up to two years.
4. How Old Are The Appliances?
Another point to consider before deciding between repair and replacement is the age of the electrical appliances. In case the unit is old and would cost a lot to repair, replacement might be a better move. Given below is a list of the average service lives (in years) for different home appliances:
- Furnace- 13
- Air conditioner- 15
- Garbage disposal- 12
- Dryer- 13
- Refrigerator- 13
- Microwave- 9
- Water heater- 10 to 20
- Washing machine- 10
- Oven/stove- 10
- Freezer- 11
Repair Vs. Replacement
So, now, it’s time we answered the much-awaited question — should you repair or replace your appliances?
A. When Is Repair The Better Option?
As a rule of thumb, you should generally go for a repair if a replacement costs more. Obviously, disposing of a washing machine that had cost you $1,000 won’t make sense if getting it repaired just costs $100.
Note that a repair is considered the ideal course of action if it costs less than 50% of the total replacement cost. To figure this out, you’ll need to refer to the factors we’ve included in our guide (see above) and do a bit of calculation.
Another point worth mentioning is that service companies often charge a cost to diagnose the issue, and this expense will vary based on the distance or region. Hence, make sure to ask about this while you’re arranging an appointment with a reliable service for appliance repairs in eastern suburbs Sydney.
B. When To Replace An Appliance?
Here are the different situations when you’ll need to replace an appliance:
1. When Its Service Life Is About To Expire
If you’re aware that an appliance is in the last stages of its service life and could stop working anytime soon, you should get it replaced. Keep in mind that this is applicable even for appliances that aren’t expensive to repair.
You should avoid a situation where they break down all of a sudden. And in most cases, appliances aren’t likely to function efficiently when they have reached the end of their lifespan.
2. Energy Efficiency
With energy costs continuing to rise, several homeowners are looking to bring in energy-efficient home appliances in place of older ones. Note that the latter generally consumes more energy than the newer and advanced models. Apart from saving you money, such newer appliances will have a positive impact on the environment.
3. Better Style
Some homeowners might crave a more visually appealing bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen, and in such cases, the best alternative would be to replace the appliances. But at the same time, you should consider whether a fresh coat of paint could be enough to refinish some appliances.
How To Improve The Lifespan Of An Appliance?
If you wish to extend the service life of an appliance, know that maintenance can be the differentiating factor. Here’s a brief look at some routine activities you can perform as a part of a maintenance schedule:
- Clean kitchen appliances to steer clear of calcium deposits, food, and general gunk.
- Make sure to check the vents of microwaves and other similar appliances periodically.
- Replace the filters of kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers.
- Inspect the hoses of your washing machine to prevent leaks.
- Check for clogs in the condenser coils of refrigerators as they affect the performance.
Final Thoughts
So, that was all about how you’ll need to proceed while choosing between a repair and replacement. We hope our guide will ultimately help you manage your home appliances in a better way.
But in situations where you can’t make a choice by yourself, it’s best to contact a licensed service for appliance repairs in eastern suburbs Sydney. They’ll detect the problem, tell you how much a repair will cost, and whether a replacement is necessary.
