Appliance Repair Versus Replacement: 3 Factors You Should Consider

When one of the appliances in your home stops working, you may find yourself struggling with the decision to repair the appliance or simply replace it. Unfortunately, there is no answer to this question that will be right for every person or every situation. Instead, this decision must be made on a case-by-case basis. Thankfully, taking the time to consider the three factors below can help to ensure you are making the right decision for your specific situation. 

Factor #1: Age Of The Appliance

All appliances come with an estimated life span. While some appliances will last longer than expected, it is never a good idea to bet on your appliance being the exception to the rule. If your appliance has already used more than half of its life expectancy, you will want to seriously consider buying a replacement. However, it is important to note that some people will find that an appliance with even a quarter of its life span left is worth repairing. Regardless of what time frame you choose when considering this factor, if your appliance still has a lot of life left in it, you will likely find that appliance repair is the better option. 

Factor #2: Your Personal Budget

While replacing an aging appliance may be the more cost-effective option in the long run, this truly does not matter if you do not have the money available to replace the appliance. In most cases, the cost of repairing an existing appliance will be far less than the cost of buying a new one. Consequently, if you are on a tight budget, you will want to repair the appliance that you have. With that being said, it is important to begin saving for a new appliance as soon as possible since an already aging appliance is likely to require replacement in the near future even with recent repairs. 

Factor #3: Sentimental Value

Both of the factors described above deal with the monetary value of your appliance. For some people, these appliances can also have sentimental value. For instance, if your washer and dryer set were given to you by a parent or grandparent who has since passed away, replacing these appliances can be an emotionally difficult task. If your broken appliance holds significant sentimental value for you, repairing this appliance when possible will always be the better option. If the appliance cannot be repaired for mechanical or safety reasons, you may want to look into ways that you can upcycle these appliances so that you do not need to part with the sentimental value that they hold.  

Contact a local appliance repair service to learn more. 

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