November 12, 2024

Image for article titled Here's When Fixing Your Washing Machine Makes More Sense

Photograph: New Africa (Shutterstock)

Your dad and mom are proper: They don’t make home equipment constructed to final anymore. So when your washer breaks down, or it turns into clear that it’s beginning to fail, you’re confronted with a choice: Must you pay to have it repaired, or purchase a brand new one? Right here’s what to know.

Must you restore or change your washer?

Earlier than anything, verify your washer’s guarantee, in case repairs are nonetheless lined. If not, you’ll want to determine whether or not it makes extra sense to restore it, or buy a brand new machine. This, nonetheless, entails greater than evaluating upfront prices, as repairing will virtually all the time be cheaper than shopping for a brand new washer.

As an alternative, experts at Consumer Reports advocate taking the next components into consideration:

  • How a lot you paid on your washer
  • What number of years you have got owned it
  • Restore prices
  • Vitality effectivity (newer machines usually use much less power, which implies you’ll spend much less on electrical energy)
  • Water effectivity (newer machines usually use much less water, saving you cash on water payments)

That entails a whole lot of math, so to present you extra time to decide, you may enter some primary data into this interactive tool, and get a greater thought of whether or not repair your present washer, or ditch it for a brand new one.

How a lot does it price to restore a washer?

In response to a Consumer Reports survey, the general median out-of-pocket price for repairing a washer (not counting the service quote payment) is $155, with some varieties being pricier to repair than others. Listed below are the median restore prices for 3 completely different classes of the equipment:

  • Prime-Load Agitator Washers: $129
  • Prime-Load HE Washers: $165
  • Entrance-Load Washers: $171

The full report accommodates much more data on washing machines, together with what to search for in a restore technician, and the most typical issues with the equipment.