What do you do when the water in your washing machine doesn’t drain out, when your dryer takes hours to get your clothes dry or when the freezer compartment in your refrigerator no longer keeps your foods at the proper temperature?
Of course, we hope that your first thought will be to call us, since we’re the experts in appliance repair Brooklyn and appliance repair Staten Island . And repairing an appliance is often the most economical and budget-friendly solution.
But we do recognize that there comes a time when it may be more cost effective to buy a newer model of an appliance that’s gone on the fritz. How can you tell if that time has come?
There are several factors that you should consider before you make your decision:
How long can you expect your appliance to last?
Here’s the average life expectancy of appliances, according to Appliance Research Report:
Refrigerators – 13 years
Freezers – 12 years
Washers – 11 years
Dryers (gas or electric) – 12 years
Garbage disposals – 12 years
Range (electric) – 16 years
Range (gas) – 18 years
Dishwashers – 11 years
Water heater (electric) – 12 years
Water heater (gas) – 11 years
So if your dryer is just three years old, repairing it might be the best option; if it’s closing in on 11 years of service, it’s probably time to start researching new models.
Energy efficiency
If you’re looking to save money on your utility bills or if you’re committed to living a greener life and reducing your carbon footprint, you might also want to consider replacing a broken appliance rather than repairing it.
You’re probably aware of the government’s ENERGY STAR appliance program that provides a special rating for appliances that use less energy and water than standard models. Here’s a breakdown for various appliances (from the ENERGY STAR website).
Refrigerators qualified for the ENERGY STAR rating use up to 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001 and at least 15% less energy than current, non-ENERGY STAR models.
ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use at least 41% less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption.
ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers use 40% to 50% less energy and about 55% less water than standard washers.
Cost of Repairs
Any Brand Appliance Repair’s service personnel are trained at repairs and know how to service your appliances as efficiently as possible. However, there are some factors that are out of our control. For example, parts for older appliances may be more difficult to come by and/or more expensive to purchase if they’re even available for purchase.
Once we’ve diagnosed a problem with your washer, dryer, refrigerator or other appliance, we can give you a firm estimate on the charges for labor and parts. That will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to replace or repair.
While there’s no hard and fast rule of thumb, Consumer Reports suggests replacing an appliance that’s not under warranty if the cost of repair is more than 50% of the cost of replacement.
If you do decide to purchase a new appliance instead of repairing your old one, proper installation is extremely important. We have you covered there as well. In addition to handling washer repair Brooklyn and washer repair Staten Island, we also handle installation of any brand of new appliances. You’ll feel confident knowing that the job will be done right, since we have the necessary installation tools and equipment to get the job done quickly and properly.
Whether you decide on repair or replacement, Any Brand Appliance Repair is standing by with the help you need to get the longest life out of your appliances.