When your appliance is old and isn’t working efficiently, most people would decide to replace the machine rather than repair it. However, appliances often break before their time, making the repair-or-replace decision complicated. There’s a lot of factors to consider in this dilemma, so here are some guidelines that should help you decide.

Is it Actually Broken?
When appliances stop working, we often resort to taking drastic measures instead of checking for the obvious solutions. First things first, make sure your appliance is plugged in. Ensure the circuit breakers haven’t tripped, sometimes they need to be reset. Make sure the flooring hasn’t become uneven, which could stop certain appliances from turning on. Finally, make sure the vents and filters aren’t clogged with lint or dust.

Check for Warranty
Check the owner’s manual or records for your sick appliance and see if it’s still under warranty. Most warranties on major appliances cover labour and parts for a year, some even extend the coverage of parts for two years. If your unit’s warranty is still in effect, schedule a service call. 

50% Rule
If your appliance is over 50% through its lifespan, and the cost of repairing it is over 50% of the cost of buying a new unit, then you should replace rather than repair. You need to know the typical lifespan of your appliance and get a repair estimate. Most service companies charge a “trip charge” to diagnose the problem. If the company repairs the appliance, the trip charge is usually waived.

Energy Efficiency
Water-saving and energy-efficient appliances today are more cost-effective than the units from 20 years ago. However, replacing energy clunkers that still have miles left on them may not be the best decision financially. You could spend thousands on an appliance to save hundreds on your energy bill. If you’re planning on moving soon, you’ll save money by keeping your older appliances.

When your appliance is old and isn’t working efficiently, most people would decide to replace the machine rather than repair it. However, appliances often break before their time, making the repair-or-replace decision complicated. There’s a lot of factors to consider in this dilemma, so here are some guidelines that should help you decide.

Is it Actually Broken?
When appliances stop working, we often resort to taking drastic measures instead of checking for the obvious solutions. First things first, make sure your appliance is plugged in. Ensure the circuit breakers haven’t tripped, sometimes they need to be reset. Make sure the flooring hasn’t become uneven, which could stop certain appliances from turning on. Finally, make sure the vents and filters aren’t clogged with lint or dust.

Check for Warranty
Check the owner’s manual or records for your sick appliance and see if it’s still under warranty. Most warranties on major appliances cover labour and parts for a year, some even extend the coverage of parts for two years. If your unit’s warranty is still in effect, schedule a service call. 

50% Rule
If your appliance is over 50% through its lifespan, and the cost of repairing it is over 50% of the cost of buying a new unit, then you should replace rather than repair. You need to know the typical lifespan of your appliance and get a repair estimate. Most service companies charge a “trip charge” to diagnose the problem. If the company repairs the appliance, the trip charge is usually waived.

Energy Efficiency
Water-saving and energy-efficient appliances today are more cost-effective than the units from 20 years ago. However, replacing energy clunkers that still have miles left on them may not be the best decision financially. You could spend thousands on an appliance to save hundreds on your energy bill. If you’re planning on moving soon, you’ll save money by keeping your older appliances.