Repair or replace. The age old question.

Often times we are asked the question, "Is this even worth repairing?" This is a great question, but there's not really a simple, universal answer. There are a few things to consider when you find yourself facing a broken appliance and wondering what to do about it.

How old is the appliance?

This is always my first question when someone asks about repairing versus replacing. This is important is because the life of an appliance is generally about 7-10 years. Depending on the brand, model, and type of appliance this could be longer but generally around the 10 year mark, machines start to have issues pop up. Most of these are normal wear and tear and can be dealt with little expense, but some can be more costly than others. Another thing to consider is parts availability. Once a unit gets to a certain age, the parts may not be manufactured anymore and once the supply is gone, they can be very difficult to source.

How often is the machine used?

A 7 year old dryer that gets used twice a week will look very different than one that's used daily during that same period. Things like belts, pulleys, and rollers wear out with age, but heavy usage will shorten the lifespan further. Consider the two units I just mentioned. In the same year, the first will have been through around 104 loads while the second would have been used 365 times in that same span. That's 3 times as much! With that, the wear and tear on parts is more than tripled, and a repair would typically come sooner. Certain appliances are also in constant use, like a refrigerator. Even when you're asleep or out of the house, the fridge is still running along.

What's the cost?

Generally speaking, appliances are not cheap. Depending on the brand, style, and features you can easily spend thousands of dollars on new appliances. Then there's the question of aesthetics. If you get a new washer, will the dryer match? Is that something that will bother you? These are personal preferences, but something to consider. It may not just be the refrigerator you're replacing, it may be the oven, dishwasher, and microwave too. Obviously, appliances can be mismatched, but again, it's some people's preference to have everything match. A single repair will be less expensive than replacing an entire kitchen suite.

Can it even be fixed?

Unless parts are totally unavailable, most things can be fixed. There are exceptions, like an internal leak on a refrigerator or frame damage on an oven, but most of the time things can be repaired and, generally speaking, a repair is typically cheaper than an overall replacement. The most limiting factor when it comes to reparability is parts sourcing. We work with several parts suppliers and if an OEM part is available, we can get it, but sometimes things are discontinued and totally unavailable. Until you know what exactly is wrong, there's no way to know what parts are needed, but if it can be fixed we're always happy to keep a machine going.

Will a new one be as good?

The days of the washer that lasts 40 years are behind us. New water and energy usage regulations restrict the options of modern machines. Different gasses are used in modern refrigerators. Things are built differently than before and they're going to continue to change. I won't say old appliances were built better, but I will say my grandparents still have the same Refrigerator they bought in the late 80's. Take that how you will. Personally, I love working on older machines. It's always fun to see one going well past its projected lifespan.

What if it breaks again?

I can't speak for every company out there, but at Ken's Appliance Service we warranty our parts for 1 year after the repair and our labor for 30 days. If you have a qualified technician out, they will point out things that could be issues down the road and recommend repairs based off the current issue, but will also help prevent future repairs or make you aware of what that would look like so you can make an informed decision. Machines wear out with time and use, but a good technician can keep your unit running for years to come.

So repair or replace?

It depends. Personally, I always look at repair first and weigh the options using the questions above. A lot of folks throw around the 50/50 rule, saying if it's half the cost of a new one to go with that, but I think there's more to it than that. There's a lot of things to consider, and really no set right or wrong answer. Usually it's worth having a professional out either way since they can tell you exactly what's wrong, what future things to look out for, how to extend the life of the appliance, and let you know for sure if it's worth repairing or if it's time to replace.

If you need to set up service, give us a call. We Service most brands throughout Tennessee, including Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and the surrounding areas. We're always happy to fix appliances or, if a repair is too costly, to recommend a good model for replacement. We don't sell appliances, so we'll give you a fair, honest assessment that way you can make an informed decision.

Schedule service today!