Home appliances are a significant investment, and when they break down, it’s tempting to toss them out and replace them with newer models. However, with a little time and effort you can save money repairing appliances. Repairing these appliances not only saves you money, but it is also environmentally friendly as you are preventing more e-waste in landfills.
4 Home Appliances to Repair, Not Replace
Let’s review four home appliances to repair instead of replace.
Refrigerator
Refrigerators can last for many years, but over time, they may develop problems that affect their cooling performance. Before opting to replace your fridge, try checking for common issues like a clogged defrost drain, dust-covered condenser coils, or a closed vent that blocks airflow. If the problem persists or is beyond your skillset, check with a local appliance repair service to diagnose the issue. Often, repairing a fridge can be as simple as replacing worn-out door seals, defrosting the freezer, or cleaning the coils.
Washer and Dryer
Nothing is more frustrating than discovering that your washer or dryer isn’t working correctly, especially when you have a lot of laundry to do. While appliance breakdowns can be a nightmare, don’t throw out the machine just yet. Before giving up on your washer and dryer, check whether a faulty lid switch or blown thermal fuse may be causing the issue. Sometimes, you might need to simply clean out the soap dispenser or dryer vent to restore full functionality. If you’re still not sure what’s wrong, call a local appliance professional for washer and dryer repair.
Dishwasher
A dishwasher is a convenient appliance that saves you time and effort when cleaning up your dishes. However, dirty dishes pile up in the sink when it breaks down. But before throwing away the broken dishwasher, check for common issues like a blocked spray arm, defective dish rack wheels, or a malfunctioning detergent dispenser. A professional repair technician can easily repair or replace malfunctioning or broken parts. It ends up saving homeowners a ton of money.
Oven and Stove
Most of the time, ovens and stove tops tend to last longer than most other kitchen appliances. However, if you notice that your gas stove burner is not igniting or your electric oven isn’t heating, don’t assume that you need to replace the whole unit. Often, there are simple parts to replace, such as a faulty igniter, oven thermostat, or bake element. Once fixed, your oven and stove will be as good as new.
Before you throw away a broken home appliance, take some time to troubleshoot the problem. Not a repair expert? No worries. With the help of online resources, or a local appliance technician, simple issues can be solved. Repairing appliances is more environmentally conscious, cheaper, and saves you the hassle of having to replace them with new ones. So next time your fridge, dishwasher, oven, washer, or dryer breaks down, keep these valuable tips in mind and save yourself time and money in the long run.
About the Writer: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
