Having lived in your home for a long time, one day you will start thinking about upgrading your appliances. Probably by now, your freezer could no longer meet your family’s needs, your dishwasher could no longer keep dishes clean, or your stove oven takes longer now to heat up. Once any of these happens, we think of either having them checked and repaired or just completely replacing them.
Weighing the two options could sometimes be tedious too. Buying major home appliances is a huge expense but on the other hand, it can be stressful to undergoing repair or replacement of any home appliances.
For instance, although the national average pricing for appliances repair is around $175, sometimes, that amount could not make up for the time and effort you spent on having a decade-old refrigerator repaired. Not to mention, experts highly suggest not spending more than 50 percent of the cost of a new one on a repair.
But like any other cost-conscious consumer, you would want to prolong as much as possible the life of your appliances. With this in mind, here are some helpful guidelines on when to repair or replace six of the major appliances we have at home.
#1 Coffee Maker
A coffee maker’s lifespan is approximately 5 years. Although you can still use them beyond this point if you do not see any major problem, it requires a double-take though once this 5-year benchmark is reached.
Some of the signs that call for you to either repair or replace your coffee maker are when it does not get hot enough anymore when there is a breakage in the pump, or it shows signs of leaking.
Having your coffee maker repaired past the 5-year mark may seem like a cost-efficient solution at first, but eventually, one repair issue might just lead to another. Eventually, it can become a money pit in an instance.
#2 Microwave
The standard lifetime of a microwave is 10 to 12 years.
Microwaves are not necessarily a necessity at home. However, a lot of people have them and they are relatively affordable. Given that, you should not deprive yourself of all of purchasing one, especially if you can use it every day.
Some of the major signs that tell you that your microwave is not working properly anymore are when it does not heat the food properly, you see sparks, it emits smokes and burning smells. The keypad is another tell-tale sign that it either needs repair or replacement.
All in all, though, it is more worth it to buy a new one rather than going through the motions of replacing inefficient parts.
#3 Dishwasher
Dishwashers can last up to 10 to 13 years. This magnificent invention is a lifesaver for many of us, particularly those juggling a hectic work-life schedule. So, you cannot just ignore it when you start noticing that your dishwasher is not working properly anymore.
The biggest tell-tale sign that your dishwasher either needs repair or replacement is when it makes loud noises. The same thing goes when it starts overheating, overcooking, and especially when it starts emitting funny smells.
Remember the 50 percent rule of thumb when unsure whether to have it repaired or replaced.
#4 Washer and Dryer
The washer and dryer could last up to 10 years. But when it starts to show signs of leaking, then it is best not to ignore it. Not only will leaking appliances cost your water bill to skyrocket, but it could cause electrocution to anyone in the household.
Another tell-tale sign that either your washer or dryer needs replacement or repair is when it makes constant excessive noise. Sometimes it could be that your machine is off-balance, but most often it means some underlying problems need to be addressed.
#5 Stove and Oven
Stove and oven have a life span of 10 to 15 years, on average. For these major home appliances, you should never take your chance as they can easily catch fire.
One of the major things you should note is that a proper stove should not take too long to heat up properly. Another thing you should also mind is the flames emitted by your gas stove. The flame should be blue. Otherwise, if it is flickering from red to yellow, it means the grates and burner caps need cleaning.
However, when it still emits the same type of flame, you might need to replace them. Faulty spark igniter and loose wirings are also things you need to check. They are fire hazards so they need to be addressed as soon as possible. In most cases, though stove and oven repair could be enough to address any issues.
#6 Refrigerator
Refrigerators could last 10 up to 12 years, on average. And even when they are the focal point of any kitchen, we take them for granted.
The most glaring sign that it needs replacement is when it has excessive condensation. It could be that it is no longer cooling properly. Excessive warmth at the back of the fridge is also an indicator that the motor is no longer working correctly.
Though most refrigerators could last longer than a decade, most times it is best to replace them with energy-efficient new ones.
The choice is up to you whether you will simply go for repair or replace your appliances. There are several other factors you need to consider too. Hopefully, this article will help you make sure you spend your money wisely and get the most value.