Is Appliance Repair Worth It?

Deciding whether to repair or replace any major home appliance can be a difficult decision. On the one hand, a one-time repair by an experienced local appliance repair specialist is likely going to be cheaper than purchasing a brand-new appliance. However, if multiple repairs are needed over a short period of time, the associated costs can add up quickly. Read on for information about what to consider when deciding to repair or replace an appliance in your home and contact Diamond Appliance for refrigerator repair, washer repair, and dryer repair in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Consider the Appliance’s Warranty

When deciding whether or not appliance repair is worth the cost, start by determining if the appliance in question is still under warranty. Most major appliances (e.g. washers/dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.) come with a default manufacturer warranty, and customers are typically able to extend that warranty for a relatively small fee.

If the appliance is still under warranty, then the costs associated with repair should be covered. However, if the warranty has expired, it will be important to consult with an honest local appliance repair specialist about the costs and benefits of doing a specific repair versus purchasing a new appliance.

Consider the Appliance’s Lifespan

Many of us have either owned or known someone who owned a major home appliance that well exceeded any reasonably expected lifespan. Maybe it’s a clothes dryer that was purchased while Reagan was president or a fridge from before we had cell phones. However marvelous these examples may be, the reality is that most home appliances have a much shorter expected lifespan.

According to information from Consumer Reports, the average lifespan of many home appliances is about ten years. Therefore, when attempting to determine whether or not an appliance repair is worth it, it will be important to factor in how long you’ve had the appliance and if the repair in question is likely to be one of many as the appliance continues to age.

Consider Performance

If you have recently started to experience a decrease in performance in an appliance that was previously working well, then appliance repair is likely what is needed. However, if the appliance’s performance has been in decline for some time, it is probably a sign that it is time to begin shopping for a newer model.

Consider the Appliance’s Energy Efficiency

Many older models of home appliances are much less energy efficient than their modern counterparts. As technology has advanced, it has allowed for homeowners to use much less electricity and natural gas to run their appliances, and performance and functionality have increased as well.

When determining whether to repair an existing appliance or replace it with a newer model, it is important to consider the long-term cost savings of a more energy-efficient model. Consultation with an experienced local appliance repair specialist may help you determine how different your current appliance’s energy efficiency is compared to models with newer technology.

Consider Any Safety Risks

Any device that uses electricity in a home can be a potential safety risk, and major appliances are no exception. While appliances come equipped with multiple safety features, mechanical failures can nevertheless lead to concerning safety hazards such as smoking from a clothes dryer or electrical fires near a fridge outlet.

Deciding whether to repair or replace an appliance in these cases will depend on the extent of the damage already caused and the level of risk still present. For example, a clothes dryer that was smoking may be repaired, but the associated smell is likely to get into multiple loads of laundry after the repair has been completed.

Consider Your Home’s Aesthetics

Finally, a decision of whether to repair or replace an appliance may come down to how the current appliance fits with the general design or “vibe” of the living space. For example, if you are planning on a kitchen remodel and you happen to experience performance issues with your fridge, you may decide to upgrade to something that will look better when the remodel is complete.

At Diamond Appliance Repair in Kansas City & St. Louis, we are more than happy to help you determine whether your appliance should be repaired or replaced. We will be honest with you if an old or malfunctioning appliance should just be replaced, and we will do whatever we can to fix an appliance that still has some life left. Give us a call today to talk through your needs.