The Right Time to Upgrade Your Appliances
Buying new appliances can be a costly investment, but purchasing more energy-efficient models can help save you money in the long term. When your annual maintenance is not enough and your electricity bill is still too high, here’s how to know when it is time to retire the old and purchase the new.
Washers & Dryers
The new front-load washing machines use half the water as top-loaders, but they also use under a quarter of their energy. So if it’s beyond the 10-year mark and you have a top-loading machine, an upgrade would be a great decision. Before making the switch to a front-loading washing machine, be sure to explore your options by reading our guide on Top Load Or Front Load Washing Machine?
The same goes for coin-operated washers and dryers, you may only need coin-operated washer and dryer parts, but if it’s beyond the 10-year mark you may want to invest in a new one. In terms of a dryer, with regular maintenance, there is not any need for a replacement unless there are serious issues.
Dishwashers
New energy-star dishwashers use half the water, clean more efficiently, and are less noisy compared to older versions. If your water bill appears to be high and your dishes appear to have lost their glow, it might be time to upgrade to a more contemporary model. When you upgrade your appliances, you should also look into freshening up the kitchen cabinets with a Vancouver cabinet painting Vancouver company. If you do decide to upgrade, make sure to check out our 4 Secret Tips to Clean and Maintain Your Dishwasher for ways to keep your new machine running efficiently.
Refrigerators
If your fridge is more than 20 years old, an upgrade can help save you a few hundred dollars each year since the efficiency of newer versions has increased by over 40 percent.
If it’s 10 years old or newer, there’s absolutely no need to upgrade. Keeping up with appliance maintenance and keeping the temperature below 40 degrees will keep your energy use down. At this age, if your fridge is acting up, feel free to give us a call for our appliance repair service. If your fridge is more than 10 years old but less than 20, and you’re contemplating whether to repair or replace it, read our article on Is It Worth It to Fix an Appliance? to help make your decision.
Air Conditioners
Start by looking at your energy efficiency ratio (EER), which can be found in your guide, on the company’s website, or on the side of your unit. Since the 1990s, the average rating has increased to a 10, while old models are usually about a 7. Older air conditioning units can be not only inefficient but also a safety hazard. Learn more about which appliances are most likely to cause house fires in our article, What Appliance Causes the Most House Fires?.
If you’re looking for a new unit, a number of the more recent cooling systems offer ionizing filters that provide cleaner air, quieter fans, and dual room cooling for much more control and less energy waste. If you’re still on the fence, then anything more than 20 years is well worth updating. . For a deeper dive into whether or not you should replace older models, check out our article Should I Replace 20 Year Old Appliances?.
Don’t let outdated appliances weigh you down, both in terms of your bills and your quality of life. Take action today. Whether your appliances have outlived their efficiency or are frequently breaking down, consider utilizing our appliance repair services to extend their lifespan or guide you on the most cost-effective way to replace them. There’s never been a better time to invest in your home and your future. So, go ahead—take that step. Click the link below to schedule your appliance repair consultation or to browse our helpful guides for choosing the best new appliances for your needs. Your wallet—and your peace of mind—will thank you.