Angie's List

Services: Appliance- Large/Handymen/Appliance Repair

Too many homeowners are shelling out big bucks for shiny new appliances when a service call could extend the life of their existing refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and ranges for years, saving money, time and trouble.

But unless you’re Mr. or Miss Fix-it, how do you know when to repair and when it’s time to pull the plug? The answer is surprisingly simple, says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local appliance repair companies, along with more than 425 other categories of service.

“Many of us replace our appliances sooner than we have to because we’re uncertain about how to fix them and we don’t know who to turn to for help,” Hicks said. “Most large appliances should hum happily along for at least 10 years, some for more than 20. A new unit could set you back thousands of dollars, but the average price of an appliance service call ranges from $60-100. That doesn’t include the cost of parts and labor if additional work is required, of course, and those charges will vary by situation. Many companies will deduct their call charge from the total bill if you hire them to make the needed repairs.”

Like anything else, quality products last longer than those price-is-too-good-to-be-true deals, Hicks said. All appliances need preventative maintenance at some point, but proper care will go a long way toward keeping those service calls at a minimum and getting the most life and efficiency out of any machine.

“There are lots of repairs around the house most of us can do ourselves,” Hicks said. “But when it comes to complicated matters that involve natural gas lines, water lines and power service, you need a qualified expert. Take the time to research those in your area so you get good help the first time. A good repair pro will throw in some free advice about the stage your unit is in and whether you should invest in extending its life or not.”

Just as she cautions homeowners against replacing appliances that could be repaired, Hicks advises homeowners to avoid making complicated repairs themselves.

“Unless you know what you’re doing or the repair is simple, you can cause more damage or even hurt yourself,” she said. “A third of our members who tried to fix their appliance admitted in a recent poll that they either ended up over their heads and had to call in a pro, or they made the problem worse and had to buy a new unit anyway.”

Angie’s 10 questions to ask to determine whether to replace or repair an appliance:

1. Is it really broken? The trouble may be a short in the plug, a tripped circuit breaker, or a bad surge-protector outlet. Check the troubleshooting section of the unit’s instruction manual for the most common problems and solutions.
2. How old is the appliance?
3. Have you had trouble with the unit before? If it’s performed well, it might be worth fixing instead of replacing with something unproven.
4. How much will it cost to repair the unit?
5. What would a similar appliance cost?
6. Are there any hidden costs to purchase (removal, installation, disposal, tax, etc.)?
7. How difficult is it to replace the appliance (Is it a built-in)?
8. What additional features will I get with the new appliance?
9. What energy savings will I get with the new appliance? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair?
10. What tax credits are available for purchasing an energy efficient unit? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair?

Industry experts say washing machines tend to break down the most because they take the most beatings and contain many moving parts. Angie’s List went to the experts for their estimates on the average life of major appliances:

• 10-15 years for refrigerators and freezers
• 10-20 years for ovens and ranges
• 10-15 years for dishwashers
• 10-15 years for clothes washers/dryers
• 10-20 years for water heaters
• 15-20 years for central air-conditioning unit

“Generally speaking, if a repair will cost more than half the cost of the new appliance and the unit is more than six or seven years old, you’re probably better off replacing it,” Hicks said. “With the tax credits available now for energy efficient appliances, when you factor that in with the cost of repair, it might make good sense to go ahead and replace the appliance with a new one.”

Preventative maintenance is your best bet for prolonging the life of your appliances. Angie suggests following these tips:

• Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator annually and check door seals to ensure they are airtight.
• Check air filters monthly and replace as needed.
• Replace washer fill hoses every five years.
• Avoid overloading the washing machine.
• Have the exhaust duct on the clothes dryer inspected and cleaned once a year. Clean the lint filter before each use.
• Don’t allow heavy grease buildup on the oven interior.
• Drain a quart of water from your water heater tank every three months to remove sediment that slows down heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater.
• Have regular service as recommended by the manufacturer

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Angie’s List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 425 different categories. Currently, more than 750,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com View the latest Angie's List News Releases in our Press Center and read Angie’s blog at http://www.angiehicksblog.com.