Replacing vs Repairing Appliances - How Do You Decide?

When an appliance is old and just isn't working as efficiently as it used to, it can hit a point where it's easier to just replace the machine. Though sometimes appliances can break way before their time and there are a variety of questions that come to mind.

Do you attempt to fix your busted appliances, or do you simply replace them? How do you know when it's time to repair or time to replace?

How Old is Your Appliance?

A key consideration when deciding whether to keep or throw your appliance is its age. If your appliance has recently been purchased, you’ll more likely want to repair it rather than one on its last legs. Another way to decide is by taking a look at the value of your current appliance - you can do this by dividing the original cost of the appliance by how many years you expect it to last. This will tell you how much value it loses per year and how much it is worth right now. If the repair is expected to cost more than the appliance is worth than you may be better off replacing it. However, age is just a number and your appliance may be in great condition, so will be worth fixing!

How Much Will the Repair Cost?

The overall cost of the repair will, of course, depend on a variety of factors. This includes the age of the appliance, the availability of the spare parts needed and how long the job takes. If you are in the market for an appliance repair, it's a good idea to request a quote from an appliance repair specialist. This way, you can work out how much it's going to cost you and whether it'll all be worth it.

An important rule of thumb is that if an appliance is going to cost half or more to fix, it will be more economically viable to simply buy a new appliance.

Why Choose a New Appliance?

Often, when you notice a fault with your old appliance, it can make sense to simply replace it with a newer model. Some more benefits of buying a new appliance include;

Warranty

Buying a new appliance will likely provide you with a warranty, ranging up to even 10 years. This way, you won’t have to worry about paying for repair costs long into the future.

Energy Efficiency

A new appliance will also be technologically current and likely more energy-efficient than your last. A more energy-efficient model will spend the minimum amount of energy to work. By saving this money, you will also reduce your energy bills.

Smart Technology

Many new appliances will also help make your life easier, as they include smart features as standard. For example, some new fridge freezers will have a camera to remotely show you what’s inside and some washing machines connect to your smartphone to allow you to turn it on no matter where you are.

Upsize/Downsize

Finally, such an upgrade will also give you the chance to upsize or downsize. If your household has changed size and you have been waiting for a more budget-friendly time to change appliances, you’ll likely find that now is a great time.

Sometimes, buying a new appliance isn’t a waste, it’s an investment that helps improve your day-to-day life. So, if you are looking for a new appliance in Stoke on Trent, Howards Electricity will provide you with all the help and advice you need. Our appliances are incredibly competitively priced and we stock a wide range of appliances from leading brands including SMEG, NEFF, Bosch and Hotpoint. Call us today on 01782 692 382 to talk to a member of our expertly trained team.