Appliance Repair vs Replacement

When an appliance breaks down, the first question most homeowners ask is "Should I get it repaired or should I replace it?" The general rule of thumb is that if the repair estimate is more than half the value of the appliance, it's best to get it replaced (1). There are certainly other factors that come into play, however. If you're still covered under a warranty, the manufacturer should pay for the entire repair cost, though each warranty is different so be sure to check yours. However, if you don't have a warranty and your appliance is on the older side, then this could be a great opportunity to get a new, more eco-friendly appliance that will help you save money in the long run.

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Cost for Refrigerator Repair

Having your fridge break down can be incredibly stressful, whether it's a residential appliance or a commercial one. If you don't get it repaired in time, your food can spoil and then on top of having to pay for the repair, you'll have to buy all new groceries as well. If you're in a commercial setting, you'll also have customers to worry about.

Commercial Refrigeration Repair

Time is of the essence when your commercial refrigeration unit breaks down (2). You need to get it up and working again as soon as possible so you don't lose money. If your unit is still under warranty, you're in luck. If it's past the warranty time, you'll have to pay for a repair service, which can get expensive depending on what the issue is, but it'll be cheaper than losing money by having to shut down or buy all new supplies and ingredients. The average cost for commercial refrigeration repair is $100-$325 and up. Some companies will charge by the hour while some will charge a flat rate. Be sure to ask the professional how they'll charge you.

Residential Refrigerator Repair

There are many different reasons why your fridge my stop working, and each issue costs a different amount to be repaired. Overall, the average cost for refrigerator repair is between $200 and $400.

• • Compressor issues ($20-$200) - If your fridge is making noises like loud humming, buzzing (3), or if it isn't keeping your food as cold as it should, there could be a problem with the compressor.
• • Drip pan issues ($0-$50) - If you're hearing rattling sounds instead of buzzing or humming, it could be your drip pan. You'll need to empty it if it gets filled with liquid and check the pan's supports to make sure it's stable.
• • Icemaker Issues ($200-$350) - If your icemaker is louder than usual or if it's not making ice, you'll need to have a professional check it out to see what's going on.

There are many other problems you may encounter with your fridge, but those are the most common issues homeowners deal with.

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Cost for Dryer Repair

While some people may still dry their clothes outside on a drying line during the summer, having a dryer makes makes drying clothes easy and fast all year round. Of course, since the dryer is made up of many moving parts (4), it will no doubt need maintenance and repair at some point. The average cost to repair a dryer ranges from $100-$350+. Some of the most common repairs needed for a dryer are:

• • Dryer belt (roughly $200) - If your dryer starts making a squeaking noise, it's most likely that the dryer belt needs to be replaced.
• • Lack of heat (anywhere from $75-$200+) - There are a few different reasons your dryer doesn't have heat:
  • • Faulty heating coil
  • • Faulty thermometer
  • • Faulty fuses
  • • And many others
• • Dryer drum (anywhere from $50-$250+) - Aside from the dryer belt, drum issues can be caused by the idler pulley, the roller, or the motor.

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Cost for Washing Machine Repair

As with the dryer, the washing machine is an integral part of keeping your clothes as clean as possible without having to do everything by hand or trying to find enough quarters to go to the laundromat. If your washing machine has broken down, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100-$500 or more to get it repaired depending on what the issue is.

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Cost for Oven Repair

Whether you use your oven multiple times a day or only a few times a week, you need it in tip-top shape in order to cook your food thoroughly and evenly. Since most issues with ovens only take about an hour or two to repair, some companies will offer a flat rate price for repairs. Others may still charge by the hour, with an average cost of $65-$100 per hour.

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Cost for Vacuum Repair

Central vacuums are incredibly beneficial to anyone who has allergies and asthma, especially when one of the main triggers is dust. They can also increase the indoor air quality in your home (https://builtinvacuum.com/downloads/clinical-study-central-vacuum.pdf), so it's no wonder why so many people are getting central vacuums installed nowadays. If you already have a central vacuum in your home, you'll most likely need to get it repaired at some point. Most companies charge per hour for repairing these units. The price can range anywhere from $15-$60 per hour. However, that usually does not include the price for parts. You may think you can repair your vacuum yourself, but unless you're an electrician, it is ill-advised to do a DIY repair on a central vacuum.

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References

1. Cornelius, Sadie. "What You Should Expect to Pay for Average Appliance Repair Costs". SafeSmartLiving. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
2. "Troubleshooting Common Commercial Refrigerator Repair Issues". Consolidated Food Service. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
3. "Refrigerator Maintenance: Refrigerator Compressor Repair". The Family Handyman. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
4. "Clothes Dryer". Wikipedia. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
5. Naguwa, Stanley & Gershwin, Eric. "The Influence of a Central Vacuum System on Quality of Life in Patients with House DustAssociated Allergic Rhinitis". Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA. Retrieved 31 July 2017.

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