When a washing machine stops spinning or a fridge stops cooling, the first question is usually: is it worth fixing? The honest answer depends on a few factors you can weigh quickly.
1. Get a proper diagnosis first
Many faults that look serious are actually simple and inexpensive to fix: a blocked drain pump, a worn belt, a faulty door switch, a failed sensor or a tripped thermal fuse. Before deciding anything, have a technician diagnose the real cause and give you a written estimate.
2. Compare the repair cost with the value of the appliance
A useful rule of thumb: if the repair costs well under half the price of a comparable new appliance, and the rest of the machine is in good condition, repairing usually makes sense. If the repair approaches the cost of a new unit, replacement may be the better choice.
3. Consider the age and condition
- Relatively new appliances are almost always worth repairing.
- Older appliances can still be good candidates if they are well built and the fault is isolated.
- If an appliance has needed several repairs recently, or shows rust, cracked drums or failing seals, replacement may be more economical.
4. Think about energy use
Newer appliances are often more energy-efficient, particularly refrigerators and air conditioners that run all day. If your appliance is old and inefficient, the savings on electricity can help justify replacing it.
5. Check parts availability
For most mainstream models, parts are readily available. For very old or unusual models, parts may be hard to source, which can make repair impractical. A good technician will tell you upfront.
Questions to ask your technician
- What exactly is wrong, and what caused it?
- Will genuine or compatible parts be used?
- What warranty do I get on the repair?
- Is anything else likely to fail soon?
Our approach
At IES Technology we diagnose first, explain the fault in plain language and give you a clear estimate before any work begins. If a repair is not worth it, we will tell you, and because we also supply appliances and electronics, we can help with a replacement and installation too. See our appliance repair service.