Is your refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher breaking down? Many appliance problems are perfectly repairable, and repairs are generally more budget-friendly and eco-conscious than buying a replacement.
However, appliances do have a limited lifespan, and the question of whether to replace them will arise at some point. Use these tips from Capitan Appliance as you decide whether to repair or replace your appliances.
Is Your Appliance Under Warranty?
How new is your appliance? If it’s still under a one- or two-year warranty, you may be covered for repair costs. It’s often wise to repair newer appliances instead of replacing them outright because they’re still at the beginning of their lifespan. Buying new appliances every few years can quickly become expensive.
How Old Is Your Appliance?
All appliances have an expected lifespan. That time period may be longer or shorter depending on how often you use the appliance and how tough you are on it. Here are some lifespan estimates for common appliances:
- Refrigerator: 13 years
- Dishwasher: 9 years
- Washing machine: 10 years
- Dryer: 13 years
- Gas range: 15 years
- Electric range: 13–15 years
Ranges or stoves (combination stovetop-oven appliances) are among the longest-lasting appliances out there. If you have a newer range that has stopped working after two or three years, call for a stove repair service near you to get it back on track.
How Often Does It Fail?
While your appliance’s average lifespan can help you decide whether repairs are worthwhile, it’s not a hard and fast rule. Some newer appliances can break down often, and calling a repair expert every few months could start to feel futile. On the other hand, some older appliances may pass their expected lifespan and still work perfectly well!
If you’ve had to repair the appliance in question several times in the last year, talk to your local repair expert about why your appliance keeps failing. They can offer repair solutions that will help your appliance last longer and recommend replacement only as a last resort.
How Does It Use Energy?
Is the energy cost of operating your appliance worth it? Some older appliances, like washing machines and dryers, may continue to work as they get older, but they use up more and more energy.
If your aging appliance is causing your energy bills to rise, contact an appliance repair expert near you to discuss options. Which component is causing the machine to consume more energy? Replacing a single faulty part is more cost-effective than replacing the entire appliance.
If you are wondering when to repair and when to replace your appliances, think about cost and convenience. Repairs are generally more cost-effective and will help you get all the use you can out of your appliance. One faulty component is no reason to rush out and buy a brand-new appliance.