How do you decide whether to repair or replace an appliance? This is a question you must ask yourself after one of your favorite appliances, such as the refrigerator, washer, dryer, or dishwasher, breakdown.
Therefore, making this decision is vital since machines are expensive, and you want to ensure they’ve served you for an extended duration.
In this article, you’ll be taken through some guidelines to help decide whether an appliance needs to be replaced or repaired.
With this in mind, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and solve this complex dilemma.
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How Old Is Your Appliance?
Before you call a professional, such as Abel appliance repair, it’s best to check the age of your machine. This should be the first thing you ask when considering if it’s time to replace or repair your damaged appliance.
When making this decision, you should also factor in the cost of repairing your machine.
You also need to apply the 50% rule to the age of your machine, which states you don’t need to replace an appliance that has surpassed half of its predicted lifespan, and the cost of repair exceeds half of the original price.
By doing this, you save yourself having to do a short-term repair only for your appliance to get destroyed after a short while.
If you’re having trouble remembering your machine’s date of purchase or inherited it from your relatives, search the product’s serial number. In most appliances, you can find the serial number label at the back.
In case you can see a date of manufacture next to the serial number, feel free to contact the manufacturer and state the serial number to know the exact age of your machine.
Take note that the average lifespan of appliances varies, and, in this table below, is a useful guide to check the lifespan of your appliance:
- Refrigerator – 10 years
- Dishwasher – 9 years
- Boiler – 25 years
- Washing machine – 10 years
- Gas and electric ranges – 15 years
- Dyer – 12 years
- Air conditioner – 10 years
- Freezer – 15 years
- Water heater – 10 years
- Dehumidifier – 8 years
- Gas over – 15 years
Take note that this is only an average lifespan, and it varies depending on maintenance as well as usage.
Is the Warranty Still Valid?
Before rushing into either replacing or repairing your machine, it’s important to check its warrant. This is vital because if the warranty is still in effect, then your machine can be repaired at no extra cost.
Because of this, you should always pay close attention to an appliance’s warranty before proceeding to make a new purchase.
If your appliance has a longer warranty, this is a sign the manufacturer has more confidence in its quality to last longer.
Nevertheless, whereas a warranty doesn’t cover all breakdowns, you still can save a significant amount of money on the cost of repair.
How Difficult Is It to Repair the Appliance?
Regardless of whether you choose to hire a trained professional or opt for simple DIY repair techniques, you need to consider this factor before deciding to repair or replace a damaged appliance
If repairing the machine is not complicated, then you should consider repairing it. Nevertheless, this is not always the case since some appliances can be complex to repair, especially modern electronic gadgets.
You also need to consider how easy it is to locate a repair shop. If you cannot find a trustworthy individual, then repair is not an ideal option.
Do You Want a More Energy-friendly Machine?
When deciding whether to repair or replace a machine, you also need to consider the energy costs. This means if your old appliance is less energy-efficient compared to newer models, then getting the newer model may be cost-effective in the long-run.
To know an appliance’s approximate cost of operation, you should check the bright yellow and black “Energy Guide” label that comes with every machine after its sale.
Will The Value of the Appliance Increase?
Like everything else, appliances also depreciate the older they get. However, some products, such as collectibles and antiques, increase in value as time passes.
Therefore, if your damaged appliance is something that may appreciate in the future, then repairing it will be worth it because you might end up selling it for a considerable profit in the future.
Conclusion
Deciding to replace or repair an appliance is not an easy decision. However, after reading this article, you’re now in a better position to know which is the best decision to take.
Therefore, you not only prevent waste but you also get to save money.
