Repair or Replace?
For most appliance problems, repair is the most cost-efficient outcome. However, for some major repairs — like refrigerator compressor replacements — it may be best to look into purchasing a completely new appliance.
The decision whether to repair or replace an appliance comes down to a number of different factors: original appliance cost, maintenance history, and reliability ratings, among others. For most of our customers, the appliance’s age is the most important thing to consider:
| Appliance Type | High | Low | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 16 | 10 | 13 |
| Freezer | 16 | 8 | 12 |
| Dryer (electric) | 15 | 8 | 12 |
| Dryer (gas) | 15 | 8 | 12 |
| Washing Machine | 14 | 7 | 11 |
| Range (electric) | 19 | 12 | 18 |
| Range (gas) | 22 | 14 | 18 |
| Dishwasher | 18 | 3 | 11 |
| Microwave | 12 | 7 | 10 |
| Garbage Disposal | 14 | 9 | 12 |
| Trash Compactor | 10 | 4 | 7 |
When to buy a new appliance:
Remember to factor the cost of delivery and disposal fees into your considerations. After including delivery and disposal fees, a new appliance that costs $600 may end up costing $800.
Most appliances will require minor repairs prior to replacement, and for the vast majority of part failure scenarios, repair is the most economical option. Whether it’s a cracked heating element, punctured drain pump, or fried control board, you’re usually better off repairing rather than purchasing a brand new appliance.
If your appliance still has a few years left in its life, repair is usually the most economical option. If you have questions about whether to repair or replace your appliance, we would be happy to help walk you through your options and likely outcomes Give us a call at (770) 809-1055 or e-mail us!
choosing a new appliance:
Newer appliances tend to be more complex and have a greater emphasis on electronic components, and as such they often tend to have a greater incidence of part failure than older appliances. Certain newer refrigerators and washing machines can have as many as four circuit boards. Because of this, when our customers ask us what appliances we recommend, we typically suggest simpler, less flashy appliances as cost has little correlation with reliability.
Although there are many appliance brands, there are only a few appliance manufacturers. The below table demonstrates this.
| Manufacturer | Brands / Makes |
|---|---|
| Whirlpool | Acros, Admiral, Amana, Bauknecht, Brastemp, Consul, Estate, Inglis, Jenn-Air, Kirkland, KitchenAid, Maytag, Privileg, Roper, and Whirlpool |
| Electrolux | Frigidaire, Gibson, Kelvinator, Lehel, Tappan, Westinghouse, and White-Westinghouse |
| General Electric | General Electric and Hotpoint |
To make things even more convoluted, some brands are essentially cocktails of parts made by various appliance manufacturers. Kenmore, for example, is a brand name used by the following appliance manufacturers: Whirlpool, Bosch, GE, Panasonic, and Electrolux. Korean electronic giants LG and Samsung manufacture electronic components which find their way into many American brands, including GE.
decisions, decisions…
For customers on a budget, you should start with Whirlpool’s most basic models. Remember that a more expensive appliance is not necessarily a more reliable appliance.
For customers with a bit more spending flexibility, we’ve found that appliances by Bosch, Sub Zero, and Thermador tend to be more reliable than average. To boot, these brands each feature two-year warranties.
If you decide to purchase a new appliance, we wish you the best of luck and hope that it lasts you many years. If you found this article helpful, we hope you’ll consider ASAP for your future appliance repair needs!