Appliances: Repair vs. Replace

When is an appliance too old to keep?

When does it make sense to repair it and keep it running? Or just accept that it’s time to retire and replace it?

When I was a kid, one of my dad’s best friends ran a TV repair shop. If our set went bad and we couldn’t just replace one of the vacuum tubes, we’d ask Mike to fix the TV. Nowadays, no one repairs televisions. If they go out, you just buy a new one. You just hope it’s still under warranty.

What about other appliances, though? Tossing out a four-year old refrigerator because the ice machine isn’t working seems like the wrong call. In fact, most major appliances are designed for a 10 to 15 year lifespan. Americans tend to move every 7 to 10 years and frequently use the opportunity to replace their appliances, so making things last longer doesn’t make much sense to the manufacturers. Some appliances aren’t moved, though. Furnaces, water heaters and air conditioners are considered fixtures and transfer title when the home sells. These systems also tend to last longer as well. The manufacturers give the same quoted lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but in fact with California’s mild climate 20 to 25 years is more the norm. I’ve seen 40 year old air conditioners and 80 year old furnaces still working.

If your goal is to get as much life out of your investment in a new appliance, the advice is always the same. Per the This Old House website “Routine maintenance— such as cleaning furnace or air-conditioner filters and scheduling periodic service— might be the only practical way a homeowner can extend the life of major mechanical systems. Those things go a long way toward making these units last longer.” Draining your water heater once a year removes sediment. Cleaning the coil on your refrigerator and the exhaust vent on your dryer also extend the life and reduce the running costs of these appliances.

You rely on this equipment to take care of you and your family. The wise thing to do is take care of it as well. Good maintenance means longer lifespan, fewer breakdowns and lower energy bills. In particular, your heating and air conditioning equipment is the largest energy consumer in your home as well as being the most expensive equipment to replace. Get it looked at semiannually by a qualified technician to protect your investment and your comfort. Call us at Air-Tro at (626) 357-3535 if you’re interested in scheduling HVAC maintenance.

If you have more questions about the lifespan of home appliances, check out the article at thisoldhouse.com