Should You Repair or Replace an Appliance? Doesn’t it seem like the worst time for an appliance to break is when you have a houseful of guests or are gone for the winter? We have all been there, and it’s so frustrating that it seems to take forever to get a repair person out to the house.
If you purchased your home recently in the Desert, you’re may not be sure how old the appliances are, in what condition, or if they are still in warranty. So, what should you do if something stops working?
Check to see if it’s really broken. Perhaps the plugin just became detached, or a tripped circuit breaker. You’ll want to check those before calling your repair man.
If it is not working, write down the model and serial numbers (you’ll need them). Your manual may be able to tell you if it’s still on warranty or check to see if you purchased an extended warranty when you first purchased your appliance. If you still can’t tell if it’s in warranty, ask if they could check to see if it is still on warranty when setting up the appointment. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
Is it at the End of the Useful Life of the Appliance? Unfortunately, they don’t last forever (unless they are old Maytags – they can run for decades).
Here are the typical lifespans of major appliances according to Houselogic:
| Appliance | Average Lifespan (Years) |
| Trash Compactor | 6 |
| Dishwasher | 9 |
| Disposer | 12 |
| Dryer | 13 |
| Exhaust Fan | 10 |
| Freezer | 10-20 |
| Microwave | 9 |
| Range, electric | 13-15 |
| Range, gas | 15-17 |
| Range/oven hood | 14 |
| Refrigerator | 9-13 |
| Washer | 5-15 |
Should You Repair or Replace an Appliance??
For example, the average appliance repair in Indian Wells, was around $271.00, depending on the appliance. So is it worth getting it fixed?
Yes and no.
IF the appliance is over 50% of its lifespan and the cost to repair it is more than 50% to replace it with a new appliance, you should replace it instead of getting it fixed. Be sure to calculate the Store’s “trip charge” and any hourly fees for the total repair and replacement cost. Always ask before you have any work done.
If you purchased your appliance from the Store that will be repairing or replacing the unit, perhaps they will work with you on the price.
In addition, changing out the old appliance with a new one may also add additional costs if the appliance is larger or needs special fittings.
So, if you’re replacing an older appliance and have the luxury to choose, when is a good time to purchase?
According to Houselogic, in September, October, and January, when manufacturers roll out new home appliance models and retailers are eager to move last year’s inventory. (Refrigerators are the exception. New models come out in the spring.)
- Last days of the month, when stores are desperate to meet quotas and are more likely to dicker over prices.
- Thursday, the day before the weekend rush, when aisles are less crowded.
- Major holidays — Labor Day, Memorial Day, President’s Day, Black Thursday (Friday, Saturday) — when stores take advantage of your day off and slash prices.
- Fall and winter are the best seasons to buy air conditioners and gas grills, because few buyers think about warm-weather appliances when leaves and snow cover the ground.