Unless you’re Mr. or Miss Fix-it, how do you know when to repair and when it’s time to pull the plug on your home appliances?
According to
Angie's List.com, too many homeowners are shelling out big bucks for shiny new appliances when a service call could extend the life of their existing refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and ranges for years, saving money, time and trouble.
But how do you know when spend your dough on buying a new appliance... OR just repairing the one you have?
"The answer is surprisingly simple," says Angie Hicks, founder of
Angie’s List.
“There are lots of repairs around the house most of us can do ourselves,” Hicks said.
“But when it comes to complicated matters that involve natural gas lines, water lines and power service, you need a qualified expert. Take the time to research those in your area so you get good help the first time. A good repair pro will throw in some free advice about the stage your unit is in and whether you should invest in extending its life or not.”
9 questions to ask to determine whether to replace or repair an appliance:Is it really broken?The trouble may be a short in the plug, a tripped circuit breaker, or a bad surge-protector outlet. Check the troubleshooting section of the unit’s instruction manual for the most common problems and solutions.
How old is the appliance? Have you had trouble with the unit before? If it’s performed well, it might be worth fixing instead of replacing with something unproven.
How much will it cost to repair the unit? What would a similar appliance cost? Are there any hidden costs to purchase (removal, installation, disposal, tax, etc.)? How difficult is it to replace the appliance (Is it a built-in)? What additional features will I get with the new appliance? What energy savings will I get with the new appliance? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair? What tax credits are available for purchasing an energy efficient unit? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair? “Generally speaking, if a repair will cost more than half the cost of the new appliance and the unit is more than six or seven years old, you’re probably better off replacing it,” Hicks said.
“With the tax credits available now for energy efficient appliances, when you factor that in with the cost of repair, it might make good sense to go ahead and replace the appliance with a new one.”
Estimates on the average life of major appliances:10-15 years for refrigerators and freezers
10-20 years for ovens and ranges
10-15 years for dishwashers
10-15 years for clothes washers/dryers
10-20 years for water heaters
15-20 years for central air-conditioning unit
