Kitchen appliances are some of the most hard-working in your home and are likely to break down from time to time. You will need to get these in working condition in the shortest time possible. Should you repair or replace your broken appliance?
Before you consider repairing or replacing your appliance, confirm that it is actually broken. This may sound obvious, but you do not want to repair or replace your appliance only to find out later that it was not broken in the first place.
Points to Consider
Cost
Appliance repair can be costly, depending on the item you want to replace. The rule of thumb is to use appliance services to fix the item only when the cost of repair is no more than 50% the purchase price of the appliance.
Also consider the cost of parts. For example, buying a new damaged magnetron for your microwave can be quite expensive, while electrical parts, once bought, may not be returnable. You also need to factor in the technician's professional fees. If the cost of the repair is too high, you may be better off replacing your appliance.
Lifespan
There is time to repair and time to replace. If your appliance has run over 50% of its lifespan, it may be time to replace it. When you do this, make sure to buy an energy-efficient model. This will save you money in the long run.
Safety
How safe is it to repair your appliance yourself? Be especially careful about repairs that require interfering with any of your appliances' electrical wiring. For these repairs, you are better off calling a professional. Some appliances such as the microwave can be dangerous when they are improperly repaired because of the radioactive waves that may escape as a result.
Hidden costs
Replacing an appliance may come with costs such as installing gas connections for a gas stove, extra cabinetry or adjustments to create room for a new refrigerator etc.
Warranty
Is your warranty still valid? If it is, try having the manufacturer repair the appliance. Tampering with the gadget may cause you to lose your warranty.
The decision to repair or replace your kitchen appliance will depend on the nature of the problem and what it takes to repair it. You will need to consider factors such as the age, the cost of repair or replacing, the safety and the lifespan of your appliance.
Share26 September 2017
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