Your appliances are essential items in your home that offer you and your family a world of convenience. However, these will be subject to wear and tear as years go by. As much as you want to save on repair costs, there are some repairs that you cannot ignore.
While you may find some of these repairs to be expensive, you will find that they can save you a bundle in the long run. There are some instances where your appliances need to be repaired. However, there are also instances when the appliance in question is due for replacement. You might be asking yourself, is my air conditioner in need of air conditioner repair? Here are some points to consider when determining if you should replace or repair your appliances:
Determine the Lifespan of Your Appliance
Let’s say your decades-old refrigerator is no longer working like it used to. Many appliances have a lifespan, and if your appliances are already way past their prime, you will have to consider replacing them. Sometimes, the cost of repairs for an older model would cost nearly as much as buying a new one.
According to Forbes, the common refrigerator’s average lifespan is 13 years. While it is normal for many appliances such as refrigerators to live past their prime, there are some things that you should consider.
Older machines need a lot of maintenance work to ensure that they will still perform well. Besides that, older machines are no longer energy efficient because they burn more energy than their newer counterparts.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), refrigerators are among the highest energy-consuming appliances. The EPA has a calculator on their site that allows you to input your model type and the model year. The calculator will show you how much you spend annually on electricity costs and how much you can save by purchasing a newer model.
Is Your Appliance Good for the Environment?
Another thing that you have to factor in is if your appliances are good for the environment or not. These days you want to do your part to do what is best for the environment, and one of the ways you can do this is to buy eco-friendly models.
Not only is it good for the environment, but you can also expect to save on energy costs as well. Many eco-friendly models are also user-friendly, so using them should be a breeze.
Are the Parts Still in Production?
One of the reasons why repair costs for older models tend to cost more is that the parts needed for replacement may no longer be available. If this is the case, you may have to consider replacing the older appliance altogether because the cost for a new appliance might be cheaper than having the older appliance repaired.
Consider the Safety of Your Appliances
When it comes down to it, safety should always be a factor in considering replacing or repairing your appliances. Even if you spend time and money on repairs and maintenance, your appliances are subject to wear and tear, and because of this, the issue of safety comes into play. If you feel that an appliance is no longer safe to use, you should not take your chances and have it replaced.
Are Your Appliances Still as Efficient?
In the end, it will all come down to efficiency. While you may have some sentimental value for your old appliance, you will have to think long-term. For your sake, you need to have your appliances functioning as efficiently as possible and not have them die on you at a critical moment.
When You Should Repair Your Appliances
There are times when all your appliance needs is a good repair job. For example, there will be times when your dishwasher is not draining properly or the temperature of your gas range seems off. In such instances, it is always advised that you bring in professionals for issues such as these so that they will be able to address the problem efficiently.
On your part, you can also make your appliances last much longer by handling them with care. While it is true that nothing lasts forever, you can still make your appliances live past their prime by making sure that they are properly cleaned.
For instance, your vacuum cleaners need to have their filters cleaned or replaced to work efficiently. In the end, there are times when you will have to decide on whether you should toss out your old appliances or have them repaired.
Meta title: When to Fix or Replace a Malfunctioning Appliance
Meta desc: When your appliances are acting up, it’s hard to know what to do next. Here’s how to know when you should toss them out or when you should fix them.
