Is-It-Better-To-Repair-Or-Replace-When-Kitchen-Appliances-Are-Broken

Every home and business owner has dealt with broken appliances at some point. It’s not only stressful, but it’s costly when a machine you bought for its convenience suddenly isn’t so convenient anymore. The experience leaves lots of consumers asking if it is better to repair or replace when kitchen appliances are broken. The answer isn’t so simple. It’s essential to take into account several factors that can affect the answer. Of course, our technicians are going to help you figure out the solution during a service call by assessing the repair cost against replacement.

Age Factor

The age of your appliances is a significant factor that will influence your decision to repair or replace. It’s essential to know the life span of kitchen appliances before making such a decision.

  • Refrigerators 10-15 Years
  • Dishwashers 9-10 Years
  • Freezers 15-20 Years
  • Electric Stoves 13-15 Years
  • Gas Ranges 15-18 Years
  • Washer 7-15 Years
  • Dryer 12-13 Years
  • Microwave Ovens 8-10 Years

There is one general rule that you need to apply to any household appliance. If it has reached more than half its lifespan, you will want to consider its repair or replacement cost factors.

Cost Factors

The second rule you want to consider is if a repair costs more than half of the replacement cost. If so, you want to discard old appliances and buy new. If you are in a position where it is not financially possible at the moment, you can also consider a repair in the short-term to save up for a more modern, energy efficient appliance that will save you time and money in the long-term. Once kitchen appliance parts start breaking, it’s a clear indicator that they’re not aging gracefully.

Look Out For Repair Indicators

Your appliances actually will let you know when they are going to need a service call check-up.

  • Your refrigerator is not cooling correctly, and food is spoiling quickly.
  • If ice is building up in the freezer, your cooling system could be malfunctioning.
  • If your washing machine is leaking or you hear a grinding noise, there’s a problem.
  • If you smell smoke when using the dryer, check the vent first to see if it is dirty. Call us if you haven’t had it serviced in a while because there might be an underlying fire hazard.
  • If your dishwasher starts to display error codes, the control panel might be going out.
  • Watch for dishwasher leaks and heat condensation when the unit is working.
  • When using the stove for cooking, broiling, or baking, improperly cooked food could be a sign that the heating system is going bad. It’s easy for oven elements to burn-out, so watch for coils that are not red, burnt spots. Also, notice gas smells or error codes.
  • If your energy bills spike, it’s a clear indicator you need a maintenance check.

If you haven’t had our technicians out in a while, it’s a good time to do it since it helps them run efficiently. It will expand their life span and cut back on the number of repairs you need.  Call us at (781) 953-9600 or visit us at https://www.facebook.com/CSApplianceService/.