Do I repair or replace home appliances?

How do you decide whether to repair an appliance or replace it? It really comes down to 2 questions:

1. How old is the appliance?
2. How much will it cost to repair it?

Generally, most professionals say that if the repair costs half the price to replace or more, then it’s time to get a new one. We at 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) agree. However, there is one exception.

If your appliance is less than halfway through its expected life span, then a repair is preferable to a replacement. Let’s look at some of the more common appliances that you might wonder whether you should repair or replace.

How old is too old to repair an appliance?

Knowing the average expected life span of your appliances can help you determine whether to repair or replace it. Here are some of the average life spans for the most common home appliances.

• Dishwasher: 9 years
• Washing machine: 10 years
• Freezer/refrigerator: 11­–13 years
• Dryer: 13 years
• Electric range: 13 years
• Gas range: 15 years

Do I repair or replace my dishwasher?

Dishwashers typically last around 9 years with proper maintenance. But sometimes, people get tempted to replace dishwashers over small and common issues. Here are a few of the most common issues with dishwashers:

• Dishes not drying. If your dishes come out wet, repairing the thermostat can be much more inexpensive than replacing the entire dishwasher.
• Lack of water. If your dishwasher isn’t getting enough water, you may need to repair the water inlet valve.
• Small leaks. If you notice small leaks around the dishwasher door, you may need a new door gasket. Dishwasher door gaskets are inexpensive and fairly easy to replace yourself.
• Stopping mid-cycle. If your dishwasher stops mid-cycle, you may have a faulty door latch assembly.

Each of these common problems is usually cheaper to repair than replacing the entire dishwasher.

Do I repair or replace my washing machine?

Wish proper maintenance, your washing machine will last you about 10 years. And even after it reaches the end of its life span, you can still repair minor problems to keep it running. Here are some more common, easily fixable problems that washing machines have that are worth repairing.

• If your washer’s water temperature is inconsistent, you can repair the washer temperature selector switch.
• If your washer constantly overfills, repair the washer’s water-level pressure switch.
• If your washer is excessively loud or vibrates excessively, repair the spin basket.
• If your washer’s door won’t lock or open, repair the washer door lock assembly.

While you can try to repair these problems yourself, take caution that you know how to make these repairs. An alternative is to purchase a home warranty from 2-10 HBW before you have problems. Doing so makes diagnosing a repair or replacement simple and affordable.

Do I repair or replace my freezer and refrigerator?

The average freezer lasts 11 years, while the average refrigerator lasts 13 years. The most common issues with refrigerators and freezers are easy to fix.

• If your freezer or refrigerator door won’t shut, or if you notice cold air leaking out, you may just need to replace the gasket. This is fairly simple to do yourself.
• If your freezer or refrigerator’s internal light doesn’t go on, try changing the bulb.

Don’t forget to clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils at least once a year, and once every 3 months if you have pets. The condenser coils keep your refrigerator’s insides cold. If they’re dirty from dirt, pet hair or cobwebs, they’re more likely to burn out and will use more energy than necessary.

Do I repair or replace my dryer?

Although washers and dryers usually come in sets, dryers tend to last longer. Whereas a washer’s average life span is 11 years, dryers typically last 13 years. Before you look into replacing a dryer, consider some common and easy repairs.

• If your dryer starts taking longer to dry your clothes, you may be able to repair the thermal fuse.
• If your dryer stops mid-cycle, repairing the thermostat may solve the issue.
• If your dryer shakes loudly and uncontrollably, repairing or replacing the drum seal can fix the problem.

Remember that dryers tend to outlast washers on average. While it may be tempting to get a matching set, you could be better served keeping an older dryer if it’s still working well.

Do I repair or replace my electric or gas range?

With proper maintenance, you can get 13 years out of an electric range and 15 years out of a gas range.

The most common problem with ranges is recalibrating the temperature. Check your owners manual for steps on how to recalibrate your range.

As you ask yourself, “To repair or to replace?” remember that 2-10 HBW can take the guesswork out of it for you. When you purchase a home warranty from 2-10 HBW, you can request service from a qualified and approved Service Contractor in our network. For a small service fee, usually less than $100, your Service Contractor can diagnose any issues and begin the process of repairing or replacing your appliance.

2-10 HBW offers the most comprehensive home warranty coverage for homeowners. Let us help you protect your home.