Modern households greatly depend on home appliances. Just imagine your dishwasher suddenly conking while you host a party. It can surely ruin your day.
Broken appliances can bring unnecessary hassle – and this is particularly common in old homes.
What should you do?
The first instinct would be DIY repair. There are tons of useful guides on the Internet. A quick search will definitely yield YouTube clips about how to resolve common household appliance problems. In the majority of minor appliance issues, you can get the appliance back to work with just a few tweaks.
But, what if it doesn’t?
You can definitely ask the help of a professional appliance technician. Appliance repair service can cost you a few hundred bucks depending on the unit and the complexity of the problem. Does this sound like a better deal than buying one – or is it?
Even if you have the unit repaired, you are still confused with some questions. Are you sure the unit won’t bug down again? Will the service prolong its serviceable years? Is buying a new appliance costlier?
This brings you to the question: Is it better to repair or replace a unit that couldn’t be fixed?
Deciding on whether to fix an old unit or buy a new one is always a tough decision. After all, both of these options will likely entail costs. The crux of the matter is that you don’t want to waste your money on a bad appliance. A certified technician appliance repair, Hartman emphasized that spending on a unit that couldn’t be fixed or keeping an old appliance for as long as it’s serviceable doesn’t save you money. In some cases, the repair is not worth it.
So, how do you know if fixing an appliance is not worth it?
Here are some tips to help you figure out when replacement is more prudent than repair.
Appliance not covered by warranty
Usually, appliances are covered by a limited or partial warranty. If a product bogs down during the warranty period, you only have to pay a minimal fee (labor costs). But once the warranty period has lapsed, you’ll shoulder everything.
If a unit is not covered by warranty and the repair cost is more than 50 percent of a new unit, you should seriously consider replacing it. On the other hand, if the appliance is covered by warranty and you’ll only pay a minimal repair fee, then a simple fix might be worthwhile. This makes it important to check the warranties of household appliances that you buy.
The old unit is not energy efficient
Many of today’s new appliances are designed for maximum energy efficiency. The US Department of Energy advocates for appliances with Energy Star rating. In some cases, repairing and maintaining an old model tends to be costlier – in the long term – than replacing it with a new energy-saving appliance. For example, newer clothes washers can save you 25% on energy and 33% on water consumption. Buying a new one could save you up to $300 a year, depending on how frequently you use the appliance.
The unit nearly served its serviceable years
Home appliances have varying longevity. For example, room air conditioners last for up to 10 years. If your unit is already 8 years old when it conked out, the repair is not worth the cost and hassle. It is best to look for a newer green model that offers better energy savings. Pushing the unit beyond its serviceable years tends to be costlier.
Professional technicians recommend replacement
This is probably the most defining factor in your decision. A reliable appliance technician will tell you when a repair is not advisable. You might consider taking the unit to other repair centers. But if they have the same recommendation, you should heed it and find a new one. In some cases, owners just want to get the appliance fixed because of its sentimental value – there’s nothing wrong with it. Repair technicians will find a way to get your unit back. However, if you decide to have it fixed against their advice, you should be ready for its cost.
Final Thoughts
The choice to replace or fix home appliances is all up to you. The next time an appliance unit conks out, take time to research and factor in all of these considerations. Hopefully, this post can help you make the right decision and spend your money wisely.
