When you’re dealing with an appliance that has broken down, you may be faced with the question: repair or replace? The correct answer to this decision can depend on several factors, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each choice. Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding to repair or replace a home appliance.
How Old Is The Appliance?
Every home appliance has a limited lifespan. This means that eventually, even a well-maintained appliance will need to be replaced. Generally speaking, the average lifespans of common household appliances are:
- Dishwasher: 9 years
- Disposal: 12 years
- Dryer: 13 years
- Electric range: 13 years
- Exhaust fan: 10 years
- Freezer: 11 years
- Gas range: 15 years
- Microwave: 9 years
- Range hood: 14 years
- Refrigerator: 13 years
- Washer: 10 years
If one of your appliances has broken down or is having issues and is near the end of its lifespan, it may be better for you to replace it.
How Often Has It Needed Repair?
If you have an appliance that seems to constantly be having issues, you may be tired of sinking money into its repair costs. When deciding if it is worth repairing, ask yourself how often it has needed appliance repair and how much those appliance repairs cost. There is a certain point where you will be losing money by repairing it again. This can be hard to determine, but doing a little bit of research into the pricing of new appliances vs how much money you have put into appliance repairs may help guide your decision.
How Much Will The Repair Cost?
A good rule of thumb to use when deciding if an appliance repair is worth the cost is this: if the appliance is more than 50% of the way through its lifespan and the cost of repair is 50% or more of the cost of buying it new, then you should replace it. Sometimes it is a better investment to go ahead and replace an older appliance than attempt to repair it.
If you’re trying to decide if you should repair or replace an appliance in your home, you may benefit from a professional evaluation. At High Tech Appliance Repair, we have over 15 years of experience repairing home appliances. We are a local, family-operated company dedicated to providing you with excellent residential appliance repair. Contact us today to see what our expert appliance technicians can do for you.