The Life Span of Your Appliances 

Like everything electronic in our life your appliances will one day need to be replaced. The question is how do you know when you have reached that point?

At SoBellas home services we receive calls everyday about customers debating whether to repair or replace their appliances. The answer is not always easy as various factors come into play. We take our profession very seriously and no different than a highly trained doctor. In order to diagnose the situation we first need to send a certified and trained technician to evaluate the appliance. Based on his professional assessment we can then provide our customer with a definitive answer.

It is true that sometimes a problem can become so complex that it is to the customers benefit to simply replace the appliance. This is not always true though and in many cases you can save money simply by fixing your trusty appliance. In order to give you a answer we must look at the following three categories:

1. Dependability
2. Date of Purchase
3. Cost of Repair

Dependability

In terms of dependability it is important to consider how much you rely on your appliance. If you depend on it a lot such as one would with a refrigerator then its a bigger decision to make. You want to ensure that your unit will be around for a long time whether you repair it or replace it. 

Date of Purchase

Another important factor is the date of purchase. Did you know that most new appliances come with a  one year warranty? It is important to read the warranty that any appliance comes with as this can save you a lot of money in the long run. Also it is important to consider the lifespan that your appliance comes with. Contained below is a chart from the NACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors).

Life Expectancy of Appliances

Air Conditioner (window) 5 to 7, Compactor (trash) 6, Dehumidifier 8, Dishwasher 9, Disposal (food waste) 12, Dryer Vent  (plastic) 5, Dryer Vent  (steel) 20, Dryer (clothes) 13, Exhaust Fans 10, Freezer 10 to 20, Gas Oven 10 to 18, Hand Dryer 10 to 12, Humidifier (portable) 8, Microwave Oven 9, Range/Oven Hood 14, Electric Range 13 to 15, Gas Range 15 to 17, Refrigerator 9 to 13, Swamp Cooler 5 to 15, Washing Machine 5 to 15, Whole-House Vacuum System 20

     

Even though appliances are supposed to last for several years they do not always get their maximum use. People typically replace them with more modern appliances and those that better fit the style that they are going for. If your appliance is not working and it has far exceeded its life expectancy then it may be best to look into a replacement. It is important to remember though that there is nothing like a classic. 

Cost of Repair 

At SoBellas we get some calls where the customer tells us that they went ahead and replaced the appliance that they were considering to purchase. This can be a great idea particularly when the cost of repairing the appliance exceeds the cost of buying a new one. We believe that in most instances it is best to repair your current appliances but we also know that sometimes its best to replace them.

Conclusion 

We hope that our latest blog post provided you with some good information to help you make a decision on your appliance. At SoBellas we believe strongly in maintenance as a way of extending the life of your appliances which is why we have our Customer Care Club. Our maintenance agreement is designed to offer you piece of mind and to save you money in the long run. Make sure to comment and let us know what are some experiences that you have had with appliances.