Repair often better option than replacing
It didn’t take Amy Magan and her family of five long to realize how much help their dishwasher had been to them when it stopped working after just two years on the job.
“Five- hundred bucks for a new dishwasher wasn’t within our budget, so we tried to just limp along and handwash dishes for a while,” said Magan. “We finally broke down and called a repair guy.”
Magan’s happy she did. She was able to get her dishwasher repaired, as well as a leaky refrigerator, for just $ 150.
Often, homeowners with a nonworking appliance assume they have to replace it, but calling a reputable repair company first could save them big bucks.
Factors like age of the appliance, the amount of maintenance it’s received over its lifespan, how much use it’s had and how well it has performed in the past will likely factor into the decision of whether to repair or replace.
Typically, if a repair will cost more than half the cost of a new appliance and the ailing unit is more than six or seven years old, it’s time to replace it.
The upside of buying new is that most appliances are more energy efficient. However, environmental benefit analysis should also consider the disposal factor. Repairing an older appliance could keep it out of landfills for several more years.
Sometimes the decision is more esthetically minded than environmental. And here again, you can save money with repair. If you need to colour match your appliance, there are companies that match them to any desired colour scheme through an electrostatic painting technique that makes them look factory new.
Proper maintenance will extend the life and energy efficiency of any machine, and help you put off the decision to repair or replace. Don’t overload washing machines and dryers; clean condenser coils on refrigerators; always follow the factory- recommended preventive maintenance guidelines and call a professional if you notice the appliance is not working correctly or making unusual noises.
“Many times, if you don’t repair it as soon as you hear the noise, it causes much more damage, which costs you more money,” said Joe Wolf, a member of the Professional Service Association, the independent U. S. trade association for appliance service technicians.
As with any hire, check out reputation and performance and get price quotes before making a decision.
Five questions to ask to determine replace or repair:
1. Is it really broken? Check the troubleshooting section of your instruction manual for common problems. You may have a frayed plug, tripped circuit breaker, or a bad surge- protector outlet.
2. How old is the appliance and does it have a history of bad operation? If this is the first sign of trouble, explore your repair options first.
3. What’s the cost difference between repair and replacement?
4. What will replacement really cost if the new model won’t fit in your kitchen? How about those removal, installation and disposal costs?
5. Will energy savings offset the cost of a new appliance?