Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. One morning you will make the trek to your trusty coffeemaker, go through the motions of brewing that first essential jolt of caffeine, only to realize that something has gone wrong. There’s no familiar hiss or chug, and that life-saving aroma you depend on to jump-start your day is only in your imagination. Yes, the coffeemaker is kaput. Is it better to repair or replace?
Often the decision of appliance repair over appliance replacement is, as with most things, all about the Benjamins. However, there are other factors you may consider, including the appliance itself and how long it’s been in service. For the sake of this article, we’re going to assume that the defunct appliance is outside of its warranty window.
There’s a really simple formula for this. If the cost of repair is more than 50% the cost of a new appliance, it’s probably better to go ahead and make the upgrade. Yes, this might mean your wallet takes a bigger hit at first, but ultimately, it’s likely to save you money. An appliance that has broken down once, no matter how well it’s been fixed, is at risk for breaking down again. And should it break down again, you’re liable to sink more than the value of a replacement appliance into the repair. In fact, if the appliance we’re talking about has already broken down once and the cost of repair is in the neighborhood of 40% what it would take to replace it, you might as well bite the bullet and open your home and heart to a new appliance.
How old is this thing?All appliances have a lifespan, and if you’re near or beyond that lifespan, replacement is probably the best bet. Finding parts to properly repair an older appliance might be more hassle (and money) than it’s worth, especially in a world where the phone upgrade you made just last year has already been outpaced by new innovations.
You can also apply the 50% rule to this question. According to Consumer Reports, the average life expectancy of an appliance is 8-10 years. If you have a refrigerator, and it’s 7-8 years old, you’re likely to have to replace it in a few years anyway, so it might make more sense to go ahead and make that upgrade now rather than sink money into a refrigerator repair.
Now, the lifespans on your appliances will vary depending on a number of factors, including manufacturer, use, and maintenance.
How energy efficient is this thing?Another consideration to make with older model appliances: how much is it contributing to your energy consumption (and therefore your utility bill)? Although many might brag that their dryer is still working after 20 years, they do not realize that it consumes so much more energy and drying your clothes an additional 30 minutes every time is actually harder on your clothing. It could very well be that it would make more financial sense in the long run to replace an older appliance. Again, the immediate cost might be greater than repair, but over time, what you save in utilities can make up for the upfront cost and then some.
If your current model isn’t energy efficient, you might swing by Metro Appliances & More and check out our various lines of
Energy Star appliances. And check out our
Energy Efficiency Tips!
Can the life of the thing be extended?Sometimes things break down because of inadequate maintenance. For example, the exhaust vent of your dryer should be checked at least once a year. By making sure the air is flowing properly, and addressing it if it isn’t, your dryer might exceed its projected lifespan. There are little things you can do, annually or semi-annually, to help your appliances perform longer, and avoid costly expenses like dryer repair.
Whether it’s time to replace or you are looking to repair, the team at Metro Appliances & More can help you find the right solution. Give us a call or swing by to see us.
We’ll help your household get up and running again in no time!WHETHER OR NOT TO BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTYThe answer to this question depends on the cost and coverage of the warranty. At Metro Appliances & More, we offer the most comprehensive extended care programs on the market at the lowest cost. Our program:
• Covers major component failure after MFG warranty expires
• Covers factory defects
• Day one power surge protection
• Covers food loss
• No deductible or hidden fees
• No lemon guarantee
• Convenient and hassle free service calls
If you don’t use the warranty within 5 years, you receive a full credit back to use on another store purchase*. (See your sales associate for specific details.)