When faced with the dilemma of repairing or replacing your kitchen appliances, consider a few things:
It may seem silly, but let’s first determine if your kitchen appliance is really broken. When kitchen appliances stop working, sometimes we get caught up in the solutions, the obvious escapes us. Before you panic, make sure:
- The kitchen appliance is plugged in all the way. Sometimes, kitchen appliances get moved and come accidentally come unplugged.
- Circuit breakers haven’t tripped. Especially in large commercial kitchens or restaurant kitchens in which there are many kitchen appliances plugged in and running at the same time.
- Vents and filters aren’t clogged with dust and dirt. Keeping your kitchen appliance clean and routinely maintained will help keep the appliance running longer and more efficiently. Learn more about keeping your kitchen equipment efficient.
Is your kitchen appliance under warranty?
Check your owner’s manual of your kitchen appliance to determine if the broken appliance is still under warranty. Most warranties on major kitchen appliances cover labor and kitchen appliance parts for a year; some extend coverage of kitchen appliance parts for two years. If it’s still covered, schedule a service call with a kitchen appliance repair technician.
Consider the Age of the Kitchen Appliance
The life expectancy of kitchen appliances depends on who built it and whether it comes with a lot of add-ons. The more technology, the more likely it will need repairs. According to Freddie Mac, the life expectancy of common kitchen appliances are listed below:
- Dishwashers: 5 to 12 years
- Disposals: 5 to 12 years
- Washers and dryers: 8 to 12 years
- Refrigerators: 15 to 20 years
- Stoves: 15 to 20 years
Of course, the life expectancy of kitchen appliances improves if you follow the manufacturer suggested maintenance schedule, so make sure to routinely clean and maintain your kitchen equipment. This will help increase energy efficiency, too.
Kitchen Appliance Repair Cost
When an appliance is old and isn’t working efficiently, it’s easy to decide to replace rather than repair the kitchen appliance. But appliances often break before their time. And if money is tight, kitchen appliance repair may be the way to go. According to a Consumer Report, people who used independent repair shops were more satisfied with the repairs than those who used factory service. And repairs cost less, too. That was especially true when it came to large kitchen appliances, like commercial kitchen equipment.
Price of New Kitchen Equipment & Energy Efficiency
Kitchen appliance repair experts say, if the cost of repair is over half of the price of new kitchen appliances, then buy new. Remember, when purchases kitchen equipment, the more technology, the more bells and whistle, the more than can go wrong later (and the more repairs that might be needed in the long run). However, it’s still important to think energy-efficient; so when making the decision to repair your kitchen appliance or replace it, also consider energy-efficient kitchen equipment.
Don’t forget to look for the hidden costs
The cost of replacing kitchen appliances maybe include more than just the price of the appliance. For example, a new refrigerator or stove may not fit in the old spot. You could have to modify the layout of your kitchen or the cabinetry to fit the new kitchen appliance.
