The life span of home appliances in the Philippines is purely dependent on the life span and wear and tear of the appliance. Keeping a worn down appliance can put your home at risk if not repaired or replaced immediately. Electronic parts may spark and cause fires. Leaving these faulty products alone can suck up a lot of power and raise electricity bills. Here are some ways you can identify when it’s time to replace or repair your appliances.
Make Sure
Before attempting to replace or repair your appliances, do the following to check if there are actions needed. Ensuring that your appliances are properly functioning can save a lot of money in the future.
- Check if the appliance is plugged in
- Check the circuit breakers
- Check if the ventilation and filtration is clean
- Check if the level of the floor is even
Lifespan
Having basic knowledge of the lifespan of your appliances can make the replacement process quicker. Once an appliance is a way beyond its lifespan, it’s nearly impossible to repair unless you find the right and exact replacement parts to keep it running again. The prices of many appliances are becoming more expensive as of late because of the advanced technology used. However, with new technology, these appliances can have longer life spans depending on the daily use. These are big investments to consider when buying replacements and repairs.
- Refrigerator: 13 years
- Microwave: 9 years
- Stove: 15 years
- Washing machine: 10 years
Refrigerator
The decision to replace or repair your refrigerator is purely dependent on the age and extent of wear on the appliance. Before replacing your refrigerator, make sure that the unit is not over capacity. This can contribute to the lack of cooling. Clean refrigerators also keep fresh goods cooler for longer. Making sure that the refrigerator doors are closed properly can prevent rotting and melting of food. You might mistake this error as a fault of the machine when it’s only a simple one.
- Overheating
- Freezer Unit Is Overworked
- Water Puddles Around the Fridge
- Spoiled Food
- Audible Motor
- Excess Condensation
Gas Range/ Oven
It’s expensive to repair a gas range compared to completely replacing it. Unevenly cooked food could mean that the thermostat needs to be replaced. Check if the cooking surface is heating up excessively. Choosing a good brand from the beginning can determine the life span of your gas range. Cleaning up any debris on the surface of the range can help maintain its proper function.
- Rusting
- Cracked Glass
- Broken Control Knobs
- Faulty Thermostat
- Broken Igniter
Microwave
Microwaves are built to last but not forever. Determine the manufacturing date of your microwave by calling the manufacturer. Take note of your serial number to get accurate information. A faulty door seal can leak dangerous radiation to the area and to the food. Avoid using any metal objects inside the microwave. Making this mistake can destroy and set your microwave on fire. Like with other appliances, making sure the overall appliance is clean can help it function better and longer. A little goes a long way when caring for your appliances.
- Sparks
- Burning smell and smoke
- Significantly low cooking power
- Faulty keypad
- Broken door seal
Washing Machine
The cost of washing machines locally, especially for the latest technology is impractically expensive. One household can spend a fortune on a good quality washing machine. When the repairs require dismantling most of the parts, it’s much better to invest in a new machine. If you fail to use the machine daily, this can also contribute to its function. Some parts may cease to work because of the lack of use in the appliance. Cheaper machines are especially prone to this problem. So be sure to check each part in case it’s clogged with dust and unwanted particles that can cause the machine to malfunction.
- Leaking
- Significant rattling or noise
- Age
- Delayed cycle reaction
General Rules
In general, if there are evident safety concerns, it’s the best time to replace the appliance. Be familiar with your warranty. It would be such a big waste of funds if you don’t take advantage of the warranty. While considering the warranty, identify the hidden costs that can potentially add up to the repairs or replacement. Appliances with advanced features can be significantly cheaper than choosing to repair. However, if there are only minor problems, repairing is much more preferable.
Key Takeaway
For your home appliances in the Philippines make sure that you’re taking the proper measures and considerations, especially when you’re choosing to repair or replace them. Make sure that each component is working properly. Check if it’s properly plugged in. A clean appliance works better than an unkempt one. Circuit breakers should be in the right setting to make sure it’s running. Appliances beyond their life span should be immediately replaced instead of wasting money on repairs that have no guarantee.