How to make your appliances last longer to save you money: Consumer Reports

Many major appliances used to last for decades without serious problems, but now appliances are loaded with technology you hope will last. Pat Foran has more.

Many major appliances used to last for decades without serious problems because they weren’t complicated and had few moving parts.

However, new appliances sold today are loaded with technology, sensors, and computer chips. They’re also more expensive, so you want them to last.

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Many of us use our fridges, stoves, and dishwashers everyday without giving them extra attention, but if you want them to last longer, there are simple things you can do to extend their life span, and in turn, save yourself money.

“Stores and manufacturers make it really tempting and really easy to replace your appliances, offering things like free delivery, even haul-away, but in most cases, you’ll save by maintaining the appliance you already have,” said Paul Hope, a home appliance expert with Consumer Reports.

Appliance lifespans

When it comes average appliance lifespans, refrigerators typically last 10 to 14 years, washing machines range from eight to 12 years, dryers from 10 to 13, dishwashers last about nine to 10, and ovens and ranges can work for 13 to 15 years.

If your dishwasher smells or is doing a poor job of cleaning, it could be something as simple as the filter being clogged. Carefully remove it and clean the gunk under running water with a brush or sponge, then replace it. It’s advised you do this every couple of months.

When it comes to your oven, Hope said everyday habits matter.

“One of the easiest things you can do to extend the life of your range is to tend to spills quickly,” he explained.

“If something boils over on the stovetop or spills in the oven, wait until the oven is cool and then wipe it up as soon as you can... before it becomes a bigger problem.”

Don’t use the oven door as a shelf unless you want to pay for a new one and don’t line the bottom with aluminum foil; it can damage the heating element, which will also cost you.

If your refrigerator isn’t keeping cool, it might be time to clean the condenser coils. You may need to pull out the fridge and carefully vacuum the coils with a soft brush attachment. It’s helpful to do this every year.

The easiest advice? To extend the live of most appliances, keep them clean, don’t overload or overwork them, check filters regularly, use surge protectors and read the owner’s manual.

When to say goodbye

At some point, despite best-efforts, saying goodbye to a worn-out item may be the best option.

“There’s no magic answer as to whether or not it makes sense to repair or replace an appliance, but you want to consider how old your current appliance is, how much it might cost to fix, and how much it might cost to replace,” said Hope.

“You also want to weigh whether you might get better energy efficiency or new features that you want from a new appliance.”

There’s a good formula to help you decide if you should repair or replace something, according to Consumer Reports. If the repair will cost more than half the cost of a new appliance, then it’s probably time to replace it.

Also, if you’re searching for an appliance repair company, it’s advised to not take the first one that pops up in a web search.

You’re better off checking your owner’s manual or going to the manufacturer’s website where you’ll find authorized repair services in your area.