How Do I Know If My GE Appliance is Worth Repairing?

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GE refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and other appliances are valuable investments. They can improve the efficiency of completing everyday chores and increase the quality of household life. When one of these appliances breaks down, you'll be faced with the seemingly impossible decision to repair or replace it. Below, we discuss how you can tell if your GE appliance is worth repairing or if you should replace it with a brand-new one.

Is the Appliance at the End of Its Useful Life?

GE is a reliable manufacturer of home appliances. It's been in business since 1905, so customers have trusted the brand to make high-quality, long-lasting appliances for more than a century. Because of GE's reputation, its appliances are on par to last as long as other appliances in the industry. Some average expected lifespans for home appliances include:

• Standard refrigerators: 13 years.
• Compact refrigerators: Nine years.
• Freezers: 11 years.
• Dishwashers: Nine years.
• Microwaves: Nine years.
• Garbage disposals: 12 years.
• Washers: 10 years.
• Dryers: 13 years.
• Furnaces: 15 to 20 years.
• Standard electric water heaters: 11 years.
• Central air conditioners: 15 years.

 

Before you hurry to your nearest home improvement store for a new appliance, you can consider how old your current one is. If your current GE appliance is only a few years old and has a lifespan of at least 10 years, you may want to look into making a repair first. You may be able to save a lot of money by making a repair instead of shelling out hundreds if not thousands of dollars for a brand-new appliance. However, you may consider a replacement if your appliance has reached its expected lifespan.

Note that even if your standard refrigerator has reached the 13-year mark, you may not need to replace it immediately. The right repair may help you squeeze a few more years out of your appliance without sacrificing its performance.

Is the Warranty for the Appliance Still Valid?

Once you notice that your GE appliance isn't working properly, you can confirm if it comes with a warranty. You may check your purchase records to see if you can find information on the warranty. You may also look in the user manual or on a sticker that may be on the appliance itself for warranty information.

Depending on when you bought the appliance and what the appliance is, the warranty may provide coverage for repairs that are needed between a one-year and a 10-year period. If you have a warranty, ensure that it's still valid when the malfunction occurs and that your warranty covers the specific repair that your appliance needs. If your appliance has an active warranty that covers the repair, consider repairing the appliance rather than replacing it. You can often seek the repair at no cost to you to restore the functionality of your appliance in return.

In most cases, the warranty will only apply if you're the appliance's original purchaser. In some cases, a portion of the warranty might be left over if you purchased the appliance used.

What Is the Repair Cost?

You may consider getting a repair if it's only a fraction of the cost of a new GE appliance. For example, getting a new drain valve or filter for your GE dishwasher might be affordable repairs to make, as these parts often cost under $100. Alternatively, if the control panel or motor is broken, you might have to pay several hundred dollars or more for the parts and labor.

In these cases, it may be more worthwhile to buy a whole new appliance rather than make a complicated and expensive repair. Many recommend using the 50% rule. This guideline advises that if the repair is equal to or more than 50% of the original price of the appliance, then it's better to replace the appliance.

What Is the Replacement Cost?

It's also worth considering the replacement cost. While you'll have to pay for the cost of the new GE appliance itself — which, depending on the appliance, can be up to several thousand dollars — there might be other hidden fees. For example, imagine that you're buying a new oven and stovetop. If the new oven is bigger than your old one, you may have to modify the cabinetry in your kitchen to make room for the new appliance.

You may also have to pay for the addition of gas lines to your home if you're getting a gas stove. Still, if you're going from a gas to an electric stove, you may have to add electrical circuits and wiring near your stove.

Another replacement cost might be the labor of removing the old appliance, disposing of it properly, and installing the new one. While your household might be long overdue for a certain appliance, it's still worth thinking about the replacement costs, which can add up quickly. With these costs in mind, you may go for a budget appliance to lower your upfront costs.

Is Energy Efficiency Your Concern?

If you're concerned about your 15-year-old refrigerator hiking up your electricity bill, there isn't a repair that can make it more energy efficient. Instead, you can consider buying a new appliance. While the price of a new appliance may startle some, they can experience significant savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a new refrigerator that's ENERGY STAR-certified can be up to 9% more efficient than one that only meets the government's minimum energy standards.

Can You Adopt Better Maintenance Practices To Improve the Appliance's Performance?

Sometimes, you don't need to buy a new appliance or make a repair to your current one to experience performance improvements. Instead, you can consider your current maintenance practices and determine if they need any adjustments to improve the appliance's performance. Some suggestions for your GE appliances include:

• Cleaning the drain hole and drip pans of your refrigerator regularly.
• Vacuuming your refrigerator's coils regularly.
• Emptying your dryer's lint trap after each use.
• Clearing all food debris off of your dishes before putting them in your dishwasher.

 

If you've determined that your GE appliance needs a repair or replacement, you can check out the inventory of Automatic Appliance. We sell wholesale repair and replacement parts to help you ensure your old or new appliance works properly. Try our appliance lookup tool to see if we carry the part you need. If you can't find the exact part you need, contact our team for help.