Repair or replace your broken appliance?

Presidents’ Day is coming up and we’re already seeing sales on major home appliances. But once this weekend comes and goes, big sales will be limited. And if one of your appliances has a problem, you’ll be left wondering…do I repair it or replace it? We’re looking at the major appliances in your house to answer those questions. Plus, tips on how to keep your appliances lasting longer.First thing you should know, if the repair will cost more than 50% of the price of replacing the appliance, get a new one. Consumer Reports has an interactive tool that can use to estimate your cost.RefrigeratorTypically, experts say refrigerators last between 10 and 18 years. Some repairs are cheaper. For example, if your refrigerator isn’t staying cold because of a ripped door seal, that can be fixed for a low cost. But if it’s something like your compressor, which is the main component, that can cost up to $1000. You’re better off replacing your fridge! How can you keep your fridge longer?Clean the coils on the back, which tend to collect dirt and dust about twice a year. This will keep your fridge from overheating and overworking.Clean the refrigerator vents regularly. They’re usually on the inside wall and at the top of the freezer to help air circulate. Also, make sure to keep items away from the direct path or flow from the vents. This can block air vents from circulating and reduce energy efficiency.Load it properly. Experts say it should be about three-quarters full. A fridge shouldn’t be too empty because cold items help keep the temperature low.WasherLife expectancy is about 10 to 14 years. If the tub inside is cracked or it won’t spin anymore, technicians say this repair is too costly. You might as well replace it. If the problem is something like the control panel, it could be cheaper to fix it. How can you keep your washer lasting longer?Make sure it’s level. That way it won’t damage itself while spinning.Keep the door open when not in use to prevent mold and mildew.Replace cracked or brittle water-fill hoses.Run only full loads to keep your usage down.DryerLife expectancy is about 10 to 14 years. If it’s smoking or it smells like something is burning, this could be a variety of problems. But if you hear that the issue is your dryer’s motor, that could cost you up to $450 to repair. In that case, replace the dryer! If your dryer’s door won’t stay closed, it could just be that the door latch is broken, and that cost is cheaper. How can you keep your dryer lasting longer?Clean your dryer duct once a year to remove lint buildup. You do this by disconnecting the duct and using a vacuum hose to reach into the duct.Always remove lint from the trap as well.Doing smaller loads instead of one overly filled, large one can reduce the wear and tear on dryers. (It also cuts down on drying time!)OvenLife expectancy for an oven is about 13 to 16 years. Gas stoves tend to last longer than electric ones. Experts say, that if the inside is rusting or the glass is cracked, more often not, getting a replacement is more cost-effective. Rust can lead to larger pieces of metal falling into your food. Broken glass isn’t just dangerous, but it means your oven isn’t retaining all its heat, so it’s working overtime to cook your food. If the problem is just a busted nob or the interior light isn’t going on that’s an inexpensive repair! How can you keep your oven lasting longer?Clean your oven but not using the self-cleaning feature. This means blasting a lot of heat and putting too much wear and tear on the oven.Check the seals on the door to make sure the heat isn’t escaping.DishwasherThe life expectancy is about 9 to 16 years. If your dishwasher is leaking, making weird noises, or rusting, it could be time for a new one. How can you keep your dishwasher lasting longer?Keep the inside and the filter clean.Scrape your dishes before loading them to keep as little dirt and grime out of the filter as possible. Plus, large pieces of food can tear the filter and clog up the hose.Try not to overload the dishwasher, which can cause strain.Clean the door seal to remove buildup, which can keep the door from sealing properly.