What EVERY Smart Consumer Needs to Know About Large Appliance Repair

Are you ready to replace or repair your appliances?

Many homeowners dwell over repairing or replacing their large appliances. For example, washing machines cost between $250 to $2,050, and dryers cost $200 to $1,750. Cost plays an important factor in this decision.

In order to help you get all of the facts, we’ve put together this large appliance repair guide with everything you need to know.

Is Your Appliance Really Broken?

When you notice one of your appliances doesn’t work like it typically does, it often causes panic. Before you start shopping for a new appliance, however, you have to ask yourself if your appliance is really broken.

This might sound silly but the first thing you need to do is make sure your appliance is plugged in. You would be surprised how common this is.

Make sure there haven’t been any tripped circuit breakers. The problem might be your electric box and not your appliances. You don’t want to get a new blender and discover you needed a new fuse.

Pay attention to your flooring. Sometimes appliances won’t turn on if some of the boards are uneven.

Clean the vents and filters of your appliances. Sometimes they don’t turn on because there’s excess dust accumulated.

Has the Lifespan Come to an End

Although many homeowners wish their appliances would last forever, it’s not the case. While you can extend the life of your appliances by performing regular maintenance, appliances tend to have a limited lifespan.

On average, this is how long each appliance lasts:

• Refrigerator: 13 years
• Washer: 10 years
• Dryer: 13 years
• Air conditioner: 15 years
• Furnace: 15 to 20 years
• Garbage disposal: 12 years
• Water heater: 10 to 20 years
• Stove: 13 to 15 years

Keep in mind these are only estimates. The lifespan will depend on the brand of the manufacturer and how well you take care of it.

How to Tell How Old an Appliance Is

If you bought the appliance brand new, you might be able to remember how old the appliance is. Those who moved into a house with used appliances might find it a bit more difficult to find out the appliances are.

There are a few things you can do to figure out how old your appliances are. For example, look and see if the owner left any paperwork behind.

The other thing you can do is look at the appliance and see if you can find a date printed by the serial number.

Is It Worth Repairing?

To answer this question you need to apply the 50% rule.

For purposes of this example, let’s say the cost of repairing a refrigerator is $300.

If your refrigerator is 8 years old and you know the average lifespan of a refrigerator is 13 years old, should you repair it?

So if the refrigerator is more than 50% through is lifespan, and the cost of the repair would be more than 50% of the cost of a new one, then it’s a better idea to replace.

In this scenario, the cost of fixing the refrigerator is $300 but buying a new one is $1,000. The cost is fixing the refrigerator is less than 50% of the cost of buying a new one, therefore, you should repair the refrigerator.

You can apply this rule to all of your other appliances. Keep in mind repair costs will vary by area.

Can Better Maintenance Extend the Life?

Those homeowners who want to delay buying new appliances for as long as possible might ask if regular maintenance is the key. The answer is yes.

With a dryer, for example, the exhaust vent should be checked about once a year. If you notice it’s not working properly, you can call a repair expert.

Another thing you can do is vacuum the back of the refrigerator to make sure the condenser coils are free of dust.

Experts might also recommend you never overload your dishwasher in order to prolong the life of it.

Making sure you clean the top of the stove and get rid of the grease will also extend the life of your range.

Know When Your Appliances Need Repairing

When do you need to call the repair experts to fix your appliances? Each appliance has different signs of when it needs repairing.

Refrigerator

Refrigerators that stop working are a major inconvenience for everyone. Although most homeowners worry they might have to get a new refrigerator, sometimes a simple repairing does the trick.

Most of the time it’s just a thermostat replacing, but you need to pay attention to the signs.

These are some of the signs you need to call someone to repair your refrigerator:

• You notice your food doesn’t stay between 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit
• Noticing excessive condensation inside the refrigerator and/or frost
• The exterior feels warm to the touch
• You notice the motor is always running

Dishwasher

Some people notice their dishwasher is getting a little older when they spot cloudy glasses. This, however, doesn’t mean your dishwasher has stopped working or needs repairing.

When you notice the following issues, it does mean your dishwasher needs repairing:

• You notice it doesn’t fully fill with water
• The water doesn’t properly drain
• It shuts off in the middle of the cycle
• It makes strange noises

Washer/Dryer

It seems like washers and dryers often breakdown when you least expect them. Oftentimes, owners don’t have to fully replace them. A professional can repair the problem for the fraction of the price and extend the life of the washer/dryer for a few more years.

Watch out for the following:

• You notice the washer leaks during washes
• The washer doesn’t fully fill with water
• Your clothes come out damp
• The dryer shows signs it could catch fire
• Your clothes come out wrinkled
• You notice the appliances shake and make excessive noise

These are some of the signs your appliances might need repairing.

 Large Appliance Repair: The Bottom Line

Now that you have all of the information about large appliance repair, you can make an educated decision regarding your appliances.

Is one of your appliances in need of repairs? If you’re in the Portland area, All Tech Appliance services can help. Schedule an appointment today