It’s never fun when one of your home appliances breaks down. Things that were once easy – like laundry or cooking dinner – became much harder. So should you replace or repair it? The answer isn’t always clear-cut and will depend on several factors, including the severity of the damage. If you’re having trouble deciding, below are some tips from see Pittsburgh appliance repairs that will guide you when making the decision.

Before asking yourself whether you should replace or repair your appliance,

Are You Sure It’s Broken?

First, you need to be sure that your appliance is broken! For instance, you could start by checking the power source. Is the appliance plugged in? Is the outlet working?

If your appliance is plugged in and you’ve confirmed that the outlet is receiving power, the next step is to check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.

Or maybe your appliance is just in need of a little TLC. For example, a fridge that isn’t cooling could just need to be cleaned. A washer that isn’t draining properly might just need the hose to be tightened.

You could also check the air vent on your dryer to see if it’s blocked. If so, simply clear the obstruction, and you should be good to go! So don’t be too quick to say your dishwasher is broken, it could be all it needs is unclogging.

If you’ve checked for these things and your appliance is still not working, then it’s probably time to start thinking about replacement or repair.

When to Repair an Appliance?

Once you have determined that your appliance is broken and in need of repair, you need to ask yourself whether it’s worth fixing. A suitable guide to follow is the 50% rule.

This rule of thumb says that if the cost of repairing an appliance is more than 50% of the cost of replacing it, you’re better off just buying a new one. Especially if the appliance has already run 50% of its expected lifespan.

With this info in mind, here is a chart that can give you a better idea of when to replace or repair some common home appliances.

So, if your dishwasher is 6 years old and the cost of repairs is well over 50% of what it would cost to replace it, you’re probably better off just buying a new one.

Does the warranty still cover it? 

If your appliance is still under warranty, it’s probably best to just get it repaired. So, it’s always prudent to check its manual for the warranty info before you start exploring replacement or repair options. Most warranties will cover parts and labor for at least a year. 

Are you looking for new features or styles? 

If you’re thinking about replacing your appliance, now might be the perfect time to do it. Newer models come with all kinds of bells and whistles, like energy-saving features or sleek new designs. 

So, if you were planning on replacing your fridge anyway, it might not make sense to repair it. 

On the other hand, if all you want is a basic model without all the extras, repairing your appliance might be the way to go.

When It’s Time to Go Green

Have you been pondering how you can help reduce your carbon footprint? Well, one way is to upgrade your appliances to newer, more energy-efficient models. 

Not only will this reduce your energy consumption (and costs), but it will also help out the environment. So, if your appliance is on its last legs, this might be the perfect opportunity to go green. 

Now let’s look at some common appliance problems and explore the replacement or repair options. 

Washing Machine

Some of the common issues you can expect with a washing machine are 

Malfunctioning doors – If the door isn’t latching properly, you could replace the door’s washer and lock assembly. 

Water temperature problems – If the water isn’t getting hot enough, you might need to replace the temperature selector switch. 

Overfills – If your washing machine overfills, you might need to replace the water level switch. 

These are just some of the issues that can crop up with a washing machine. So, if you’re handy with tools, you might be able to take care of the repairs yourself.  

Of course, if you’re not comfortable doing the repairs yourself, you can always call in a professional.