An appliance breaks in your home and you wonder: Should you fix it, or just replace it? Well, it depends on the appliance, according to Consumer Reports‘ sub-publication ShopSmart.
As a general rule, once an appliance reaches its 3rd or 4th year, you don’t repair it, you dump it.
Check out these timetables for fix-or-repair decisions about appliances
The advice that the magazine offers depends on whether you’re talking about technology or appliances. So the following advice is recommended for technologies:
- Full-size canister vacuum – repair up to 5 years
- Clothes dryer – repair up to 4 years
- Washing machine – repair up to 4 years
- Fridge – repair up to 4 years
- TV – repair up to 4 years
- Dishwasher – repair up to 3 years
- Camera – repair up to 3 years
- Typical vacuum cleaner – repaired up to 3 years
- Installed microwave – repair up to 2 years
- Oven range – repair up to 2 years
- Computer – repair up to 2 years
Now, I know many traditionalists will say, “My last so-and-so lasted 26 years. Why in the world would I dump it after 3 years?” The reason is because the cost of a repair today in many cases equals or exceeds the cost of buying a new unit.
Meanwhile, if you’re talking about larger things like an HVAC unit, read my take on that here.
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