Aug 13, 2009 1:04 pm US/Eastern
Angie's List: Appliance Maintenance
In this tough economy, you probably cringe at the thought of having to replace an expensive appliance.
But just because it breaks, doesn't mean you need a new one.
In this week's Angie's List report, Jim Donovan tells you what you need to know to figure out whether or not it's time for a new appliance.
"A good tip for knowing whether it's time to replace an appliance is to know exactly how old the appliance is because the normal useful life on a major appliance is anywhere from 10 to 20 years. And if that appliance is halfway through that useful life and the cost to repair it is as half as much as the cost to replace it you should go ahead and replace it because you're probably going to energy efficient model as well," said Angie's List Founder, Angie Hicks.
But in some cases it makes more money sense to get that old appliance repaired. Amy Magan had a leaky refrigerator and a broken dishwasher
"We were really hoping we could repair the dishwasher because $500 for a new dishwasher really wasn't in our budget so we called the repair guy out and he has able to fix the leak in my refrigerator and repair the dishwasher for $150 total," said Magan.
And if you want to repair an appliance, make sure you know the make and model so you can find a company that specializes in that appliance.
More advice from Angie:
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY:
1. Is it really broken? The trouble may be a short in the plug, a tripped circuit breaker, or a bad surge-protector outlet.
2. How old is the appliance?
3. Have you had trouble with the unit before? If it's performed well, it might be worth fixing it.
4. How much will it cost to repair the unit?
5. What would a similar appliance cost?
HOW TO HIRE A REPAIR PROFESSIONAL:
Find a repairman that specializes in your appliance.
Call a few appliance repair companies and ask some questions about the specific repair. Be sure to describe to them in detail the problem.
Is there a written guarantee on the work performed and installed parts? How long is the warranty?
Ask about the training of their techs. Today's appliance repair work demands a high level of skill and understanding of a variety of mechanical and electrical systems.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE TIPS:
Clean the coils on your refrigerator annually and check door seals so they are airtight.
Check air filters monthly and replace as needed.
Replace washer fill hoses every five years.
Avoid overloading the washing machine.
Have the exhaust duct on the dryer inspected and cleaned each year. Clean the lint filter before each use.
Don't allow heavy grease buildup on the oven interior.
Drain a quart of water from your water heater tank every three months to remove sediment.
Have regular service as recommended by the manufacturer
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