Should I Repair or Replace my Home Appliance?

Home appliance problems and breakdowns can feel overwhelming, time-consuming, and inconvenient. These problems usually lead to a similar question: should you buy a new appliance, or hire someone to repair the broken appliance?

Deciding whether to repair or replace an appliance does not usually come with a straightforward answer. Instead, ask yourself a series of questions to properly analyze what decision is right for you, your home, and your appliance.

Five Questions to Ask before Repairing or Replacing your Home Appliance

Home appliances are a considerable investment for a homeowner. So when an appliance breaks down, it’s reasonable to be unsure of how to move forward. Our experienced service technicians at S & S Appliance have helped us to outline five common questions to ask before repairing or replacing your home appliance.

1. How Much Will the Repair Cost?

The natural place to start is with the cost of the potential repair. Most experts agree that if the repair estimate is over 50 percent of the new appliance’s price, then generally, you should replace the home appliance instead of repairing.

Depending on the type of repair needed, your local home appliance servicer may be able to provide quick and straightforward solutions to your appliance problems. However, if your home appliance is aged, broken beyond repair, or requires hours and hours of service, you may want to reconsider.

Another thing to evaluate in the cost is figuring out if your appliance is still under warranty from the manufacturer or servicer. If your appliance still has a functioning warranty plan, you can get your home appliance repaired or replaced at a great value.

2. How Old is the Home Appliance?

The lifespan of the home appliance is also a critical factor in determining whether to repair or replace. Each of your home appliances has an average lifespan, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. However, the list of average life expectancy is just a guideline for home appliances. Factors such as the model, brand, and routine maintenance all affect a home appliance’s lifespan.

Generally speaking, most home appliances last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Similar to the 50 percent rule for costs, you will want to evaluate the time left in your appliances’ life. If a home appliance has completed more than 50 percent of its average lifespan, and if the repair cost is more than 50 percent of a new appliance’s price, replacing is the recommended solution.

3. Does Maintenance Help to Extend the Life of Your Home Appliance?

Simple answer, yes! Routine maintenance is known to extend the life of your home appliances, and you’ll find that all of our S & S Appliance service technicians recommend it.

Regular cleaning, inspections, and check-ups keep your home appliances working correctly. Instead of having a breakdown, routine maintenance allows you to notice potential problem areas for your appliance. By understanding these issues in advance, you can correct them before a total collapse. Routine maintenance costs are significantly less than having to replace your entire home appliance!

4. Do You Need a More Energy-Efficient Home Appliance?

Once you’ve calculated the repair costs, new appliance prices, and age of your appliance, you need to factor in the energy expenses. If your current home appliance utilizes more energy than a new one, it could be worth the upgrade. For example, studies show that a new refrigerator uses approximately half the power of a 20-year-old fridge.

However, calculate this expense carefully and with the help of a trusted professional appliance servicer. It may not be wise to spend thousands of dollars only to save a couple hundred dollars on your energy bill. With the expertise of an appliance servicer, you can determine what’s best for your home appliance.

5. Are There Any Hidden Costs to Replacing a Home Appliance?

Finally, consider any hidden costs to replacing your home appliance. The final cost of replacing a home appliance is much more than just the machine itself. Consider installation fees and transportation costs.

Also, you’ll want to evaluate your home’s compatibility with a new appliance. If you don’t have the correct hookups, electrical wiring, circuit breakers, or physical space for a new appliance, then that will add to the price of replacing your home appliance.

Take the Time to Make the Right Decision for Your Home

Ultimately, there is no cookie-cutter answer in figuring out when to replace or repair a home appliance. Talk with your trusted local home appliance servicer in Alabama, and together, you can decide the best pathway for your home appliances.

S&S Appliance: Here For All the Appliance Repairs and Replacement Needs in Your Alabama Home

As the largest independent servicer in Alabama, our technicians offer quality service, timely consultations, and effective repairs. Call us at 1-205-426-5468. You can also schedule an appointment online.