To repair, or not to repair? That is the question on most homeowners’ minds when their appliance is on the fritz. Appliances are an investment, and you want to make them last as long as possible, but there are times when the cost of maintaining and up-keeping your appliance is greater than purchasing a new one. How do you know when to call an appliance repair technician or when to start shopping for something new? Here are a few things to consider:

They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Remember in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when appliances seemed to live forever? Household appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens and dishwashers were built to last almost as long as you own your home. They were built like heavy-duty machines that could withstand decades before needing to be replaced. Newer appliances are built more like computers, leaving them with more advanced technological vulnerabilities. If your “old reliable” is starting to slow down after years of hard work, consider repairing it instead of replacing it.

Is your appliance still under warranty? It is not uncommon for appliances to have issues within their first few years. If your appliance is new, check if your warranty covers the repair. Sure, there are rare occasions that you may have purchased a lemon appliance, but often the issue is due to an error in installation, plumbing or electrical line problems, or it could be user error. If your appliance is still under warranty, opt to repair instead of replacing it.

Is it the end of your appliance’s useful life? All good things must come to an end, including your appliance’s life. Someday the time will come when it costs more to continually maintain your appliance than it does to buy a new one. It is advised to use the 50% rule – if your appliance is 50% through its lifespan, the cost to fix it should be less than 50% of the price of a new appliance. According to Consumer Report, here is a list of the life expectancy of modern appliances:

• Gas Range: 15 years

• Range & Oven Hoods: 14 years

• Electric Range: 13 years

• Dryers (electric and gas): 13 years

• Refrigerators: 13 years

• Garbage Disposal: 12 years

• Freezers: 11 years

• Washing Machines: 10 years

• Microwaves: 9 years

• Dishwashers: 9 years

• Compactors: 6 years

With proper care and usage, the lifespan of your appliance can exceed these averages. At Westside, we pride ourselves on making honest recommendations when we believe it would be best for our customer to replace their appliance than to repair it.

Could proper maintenance extend the life of your appliance? Guilty of overloading your washing machine or not scraping off excess food before placing your dishes in the dishwasher? When was the last time you had your dryer vents or refrigerator coils cleaned? Have you changed your washer hose since it’s been installed? If putting in a little time, TLC and money for preventative maintenance on your appliances will help extend its life, choose to repair it instead of replacing it.

Do you want a matching set? Appliance manufacturers often change the look and feel of appliances to keep them looking modern and updated. If you replace your dryer, would you need to buy a new washing machine as well? Would a new dishwasher make your other kitchen appliances look outdated? If you want your appliances to match and hope to keep expenses low, consider repairing instead of replacing it.

Have you considered the additional fees associated with repairing or replacing? Don’t forget about the extra fees associated with both repairing and replacing your appliance. If you are considering purchasing a new appliance, most appliance retailers charge a delivery fee to transport and install your new appliance in your home. Similarly, appliance repair companies charge a standard trip/diagnosis fee for an expert technician to come to your home to troubleshoot your appliance and identify the problem (and they charge this fee whether you repair your appliance or not). Luckily, with Westside Appliance Repair, if you do decide for our technician to repair your appliance, the Trip/Diagnosis fee comes out of your total repair estimate – so you’ll pay less out of pocket.

Do you have the time to repair or replace your appliance? If you are considering replacing your appliance, factor in the value of your time and stress of shopping for a new appliance, plus the days/weeks it could take your appliance retailer to deliver and install your new appliance. Can you afford that downtime without a working refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine or dryer? Even busy appliance repair companies will only take a couple of days to get to your home, will schedule a convenient time to come to you, and can usually fix your appliance in one visit.

Have you considered your carbon footprint? Appliances made in the last 20 years are built more energy-efficient and designed to save more water than ever before. If your appliance was made past 1996, it has been subjected to Energy Star requirements by the EPA. Therefore, if your broken appliance was made after that time and has the familiar yellow Energy Star tag on it, consider repairing it instead of sending it to the landfill.

Westside Appliance Repair is the leading expert in appliance repair, parts and maintenance in Central Iowa, as well as select services in Sioux City. We now offer a VIP program for guaranteed service within one to two business days! Learn more about our VIP program, and call to purchase your annual membership today!