Repair or Replace?
Should I repair my appliances or replace them? This is a question that I get often as an appliance repairman.
If you want a simple answer, there really isn’t one. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you decide what to do.
If your appliances are aging, starting to experience frequent issues, and seem like they cost more to keep running than they are worth, it might be time to replace them. But wait. You may think buying a new appliance is always the best option in these scenarios — and that can depend on a lot of different factors. Below we will go through them and help you decide what’s best.
Option One: Replacement
Replacing old and worn-out appliances is often done to avoid headaches, reduce downtime, and save on electricity costs. As newer appliances continue to improve and are advertised as more energy efficient, faster, better, and more advanced, it can be tempting to go straight for the newest, nicest option.
In appliance repair, we tend to follow the 50/50 rule. This means that if a repair is going to cost 50% or more of the cost to replace the appliance, it is usually advisable to replace it. While this rule has caveats, there are many scenarios where it applies.
A new appliance may reduce downtime, avoid future repairs, and even give you some bragging rights about your new WiFi-enabled, touchscreen modern marvel of machinery. We often recommend replacement when repairs start to become costly — for example, when a main control board fails.
Main control boards in many modern appliances are extremely expensive and often come close to the cost of purchasing a new budget-level appliance. These boards can range anywhere from $100 to $400 or more. If your control board goes bad, especially in an older machine, replacement is often the more practical choice.
However, sometimes you might not want to replace it. Maybe you can’t afford to. Maybe you don’t like the new options available. We understand — and that’s where repair can make more sense.
Option Two: Repair
Sometimes you don’t want to replace your appliance, and often it truly makes more sense to repair it.
If your appliance has a major failure within the warranty period, it is often advisable to repair it rather than spend more money replacing it. For example, many motors are covered under a 10-year warranty. The same can apply to wash tubs, dryer drums, and sometimes even main control boards.
Maybe you’re thinking, “I like this washer,” or “I like this dryer.” We get it. As a big fan of simple, no-frills appliances myself, I understand that replacing an appliance that has otherwise been reliable can be frustrating.
While we may recommend replacement when an appliance is deemed not worth repairing, the final decision is always yours. Often, when an appliance fails, it can be fixed with only one or two parts. That can be a relatively low-cost scenario. However, depending on the age of the appliance, repairs can become more expensive if critical parts like the drive motor are no longer under warranty.
There are also many older appliances that tend to have very long lifespans. These machines may have been handed down from a family member, bought used and never replaced, or started as a temporary solution that became permanent. In cases like these, repair can often make more sense. While older appliances may be less energy efficient, they are often more reliable due to their simple design, fewer electronic components, and durable construction.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. Our goal is to provide our honest opinion on what will be best for your situation.
Modern appliances offer features that improve quality of life. They are generally more energy efficient and use less water, especially washers. At the same time, older appliances often prove to be more reliable because they have fewer moving parts, fewer electronic components, and were built with high-quality materials.
The good news is that there are still reliable, high-quality options available today. Stay tuned for future updates where we will share our top picks for a variety of different appliances.