Appliances, Home Improvement

When To Kick Your Appliances To The Curb

appliancesInvesting in your home is no easy task. Many people find themselves indulging in odds and ends on the finishing touches when remodeling or moving in. Appliances are a huge dent in wallets for homeowners. In a day and age where we need our clothes washed, our dinners cooked and our dishes done for us; choosing the best appliance is a big decision. Purchasing something that is reliable, long lasting and needs minimum appliance repair or new parts is key in getting the most out of your household items. So how long do these things actually last and what can you do to keep them up and running? Should you opt to buy a brand new appliance all together or invest in repairs?

If there is ever a time when your old trusty dishwasher gives out on you, the best idea may be to invest in some appliance repair parts and simply fix the issue. Getting the most out of your investment is key, so if you can repair the problem at an efficient cost rather than replace the entire unit, then this is the smartest option. There’s not always a need to purchase something brand new if it can be restored to new-like quality.

In order to assure the least amount of break down and damage to your appliance, it’s best to choose the right one first, and know just how long they may last you. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) studies the life expectancy of home appliances, so that customers can have a general idea of their “expiration date”. If you’re curious to see how long your mighty refrigerator can stand the test of time, then check out the NAHB’s break down among kitchen appliances:

-Trash Compactor: 6 years
-Dishwasher: 9 years
-Garbage Disposal: 12 years
-Faucet: 15 years
-Microwave: 9 years
-Electric Range: 13 years
-Gas Range: 15 years
-Refrigerator: 13 years
-Sink: 5 – 10 years

Based on these estimates, it’s up to the consumer to decide if they want to use their appliance until it breaks, or try and anticipate the problem before it happens so that their components can be properly maintained. A good way to justify this comparison is through the costs. If the cost of repair is more than half the cost of a brand new appliance, then it may be best to purchase a new one. This is especially true if the item is already more than halfway through it’s useful lifetime.  The sad truth in this matter is that some appliances will completely give out after only 4-5 years of use, and many companies will stop making certain parts that are needed for repairs. It’s best to keep a familiar repairman on hand in instances like this. Don’t neglect the important of an appliance mechanic! Many companies will deem certain models obsolete after a short time span, and stop producing parts. This makes the battle for repairing your appliance much more difficult. After all, those big name companies want you to purchase something new anyway.

There are a few questions you can ask yourself when determining if an appliance should be repaired or replaced:

-Has the unit given you trouble before? If this is its first strike, it may be worth repairing.

-Is it really broken? Make sure you check all of the wiring and troubleshooting for your appliance. It could be a silly, simple fix!

-How much would it cost to repair? As stated, if the cost is more than half the price of a new appliance, it’s time to go new.

-What energy savings will I get with a new appliance? Will this balance out the cost of the new machine, or its potential repair costs?

-What would a similar appliance cost? You don’t always have to opt for the biggest and most bad on the market. Sometimes you can find something more budget-worthy.

When you make an appliance purchase, not only are you already dropping hundreds to thousands of dollars on the machine itself, but also the monthly costs to run it. These dollar signs add up quickly and can create other financial setbacks in your life. It’s best to research the life expectancy of this big ticket items ahead of time, always have a repairman on hand, and weigh your options when it comes to buying new appliance repair parts . A simple replacement piece may be just what you need to have your dishes being washed at warp speed again. It’s your money, get the most out of it.

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John is re-doing his kitchen and decides to get some of his kitchen appliances repaired because they are not working well.