When an appliance is old and isn’t working efficiently, it’s easy to decide to replace rather than repair the machine — may it rest in peace.

But appliances often break before their time, making the repair-or-replace decision harder.

If money is tight, you may have to repair the appliance and hope for the best. But if you’ve got some coin, then replacing with a new, energy-efficient model often is the better way to go.

That’s a lot of ifs, and the repair-or-replace dilemma often is hard to resolve. Here are some guidelines that will help you decide.

How to Follow the 50% Rule

In 2014, the average cost to repair an appliance was $254 to $275. Should you pay it?

If an appliance is more than 50% through its lifespan, and if the cost of one repair is more than 50% of the cost of buying new, then you should replace rather than repair.

To do the math, you’ll have to know the typical lifespan (see above), and get a repair estimate. Most service companies charge a “trip charge” to diagnose the problem. These charges vary widely, so be sure to ask when you arrange the appointment.  If the company repairs the appliance, the trip charge typically is waived.

How to Calculate Whether Energy Efficiency is Cost Effective

New water-saving and energy-efficient appliances can be cost effective: A modern refrigerator, for instance, uses roughly half the electricity of one built 20 years ago.

But replacing energy clunkers that still have miles left on them may not be a money-wise move. You might spend thousands on an appliance in order to save hundreds (if you’re lucky) on your energy bill.

Jill A. Notini of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says if you’re planning on staying in your home for 10 to 15 years, upgrading appliances is a good idea. However, if you’re planning on moving soon, you’ll save money by keeping your older appliances, and letting the new owners upgrade to energy-efficient models.

When to Repair or Replace Your Appliance 1/2

When an appliance is old and isn’t working efficiently, it’s easy to decide to replace rather than repair the machine — may it rest in peace.

But appliances often break before their time, making the repair-or-replace decision harder.

If money is tight, you may have to repair the appliance and hope for the best. But if you’ve got some coin, then replacing with a new, energy-efficient model often is the better way to go.

That’s a lot of ifs, and the repair-or-replace dilemma often is hard to resolve. Here are some guidelines that will help you decide.

Is It Really Broken?

When appliances stop working, we get so rattled that the obvious escapes us. Before you panic, make sure:

•     The appliance is plugged in.
•     Circuit breakers haven’t tripped. (I once replaced a blender only to discover that the circuit needed resetting.)
•     Flooring hasn’t become uneven, which can stop some appliances from turning on.
•     Vents and filters aren’t clogged with lint and dust.

Is It Still Under Warranty?

Check your owner’s manual or records to see if the sick appliance is still under warranty. Most warranties on major appliances cover labor and parts for a year; some extend coverage of parts for two years. If it’s still covered, schedule a service call.

Is It Truly at the End of Its Useful Life?

Appliances have an average useful life — the typical lifespan after which the machine is running on borrowed time. The closer your appliance is to its hypothetical past due date, the wiser it is to replace, rather than repair.


Here are the typical lifespans of major appliances.  

Appliance            Average Lifespan (Years)
Compactor                            6
Dishwasher                           9
Disposal                               12
Dryer                                    13
Exhaust Fan                          10
Freezer                                  11
Microwave                            9
Range, electric                      13
Range, gas                             15
Range/oven hood                  14
Refrigerator                           13
Washer                                   10

Dangerous appliances: Are you covered if something goes wrong?

Thousands of tumble dryers are a huge fire risk in your home and now insurers are EXCLUDING any damage that occurs as a result

Dangerous tumble dryers remain a hot topic, and if your machine does burst into flames, you could also be burnt by your insurer.

This is because many home insurance policies have a clause in the terms and conditions excluding cover for appliances suspected to be a potential risk.

Last week, I detailed a problem with certain Indesit, Creda and Hotpoint tumble dryers where the filter can fall against the heating element and catch fire.

Since then thousands of owners have complained of facing long waits for an engineer to view their machine or for a replacement.

However, in all the commotion the issue of home insurance has been overlooked.

A reader called Desmond, from Leicester, wrote to me after seeing me on ITV’s This Morning. I was talking about the tumble dryer saga and home insurance came up.

The discussion prompted Desmond to call his insurer to check he would be covered if his Hotpoint tumble dryer caught fire. To his alarm, he wasn’t.

Desmond was in a dilemma. Should keep using the machine and hope for the best, or get rid of it before he risked another load?

If you own one of these dryers you should assume you’re not covered. Insurance is all about “unforeseen risks” and the potential for one of these machines to catch fire is anything but “unforeseen”.

The risk has been plastered all over the media and official agencies have publicly advised that the machines should not be used. This gives an insurer a perfect excuse to refuse to payout.

There is also another potential “out” for the insurers.

Most of the terms and conditions clearly state that you will not be insured if you “fail to follow manufacturers’ instructions”. Whirlpool, which owns Indesit, Creda and Hotpoint, has advised the filter should be cleaned daily and the machine not used unattended.

If you ignore these directions and fire breaks out, it is highly likely you will not be insured.

Ask your insurer to confirm in writing that you will be covered if your tumble dryer catches fire before it is modified or replaced.

Also, get them to confirm in writing that your machine will be covered once it is modified.

Estimate your appliance and home electronics energy usage!

The U.S. Department of Energy has created a nifty tool to calculate how much it costs to run any and all appliances!

Click here to try it out!

If you have any other questions call us at

208-344-6700

or stop by our location at

609 N Orchard st, Boise

11 tips to efficiently use your appliances to save money (part 2)

Are your power bills higher than you'd like? There might be a couple things you can do to lower them by using your appliances properly.

7. Recycle!

By using a cool-down cycle, it uses the heat that is already present to finish drying off your clothes. Without this, you'll generate heat right up till its done, and then waste whats there!

8. Don't Wait

If your clothes aren't drying properly, it could mean one of 2 things:

• Your dryer is dying, and its time to replace or fix it
• Theres a large blockage in your vents, and is a major fire hazard.

Either way, its best you call us to come take a look!

9. The Old Fashioned Way

Time permitting, drying racks are a great alternative to a dryer. They keep your clothes lasting longer, and doesn't run up your power bill!

10. Get the Right Stuff

If you have a front-loading washer or high-efficiency top-loader, use detergent labeled for high-efficiency machines. High-efficiency detergents are low-sudsing and quick-dispersing to clean well in high-efficiency washers that use less water.

11. The Proper Equipment

Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels. ENERGY STAR clothes washers clean clothes using 35% less water and 20% less energy than standard washers.

11 tips to efficiently use your appliances to save money (part 1)

Are your power bills higher than you'd like? There might be a couple things you can do to lower them by using your appliancces properly.

1. Cool

The simplest, most cost effective way of reducing your appliance bills is using cold water for your laundry. If you don't have to heat up the water, you're using less power! 

2. Fill 'er Up!

Another no-brainer is to make sure your loads of laundry are full. You're wasting money when you only throw a couple things in!

3. Towel Dry

When drying your clothes, make sure towels are in their own load. Clothes dry a lot faster when they're not in loads with things we use to sponge up water!

4. Use Your Senses!

Your clothes may be done long before the dryer stops going, and during that time, you're wasting power! If your dryer has a moisture sensor, use it!

5. Let It Breathe

One thing that is an absolute must is cleaning out your dryer vent. This allows air to properly circulate, which dries your clothes faster. 

6. DANGER!

If you rarely clean out your dryer vents, the lint can build up and eventually become a fire hazard! Cleaning the vents could save you from a full house remodeling bill. You can buy dryer vent snakes from our store.

Make your New Years Resolution replacing that old appliance!

This is a new year, for new things! We all have that one appliance that is older and doesn't run as well as it should. Make this the year you stop putting off getting a like-new one!

With some of the lowest prices in the valley, we can help you get rid of your appliance woes today!

Call us at 208-385-9074

or stop by

630 N. Orchard, Boise ID

today!!