You’d be hard-pressed to find a modern-day household that doesn’t depend on cutting-edge appliances for a wide range of tasks. From cooking to food storage to cleaning, appliances tackle a broad assortment of essential chores on a daily basis. However, many of us have grown so accustomed to our appliances performing their respective jobs with aplomb that we put basic maintenance on the backburner or forget about it altogether. No matter how reliable an appliance is, it’s practically guaranteed to go before its time in the absence of proper care and maintenance. As such, anyone looking to keep their appliances up and running for the long haul should put the following pointers to good use.
Take Advantage of Manufacturer Warranties
When it comes to home appliances – and most electronics, for that matter – there are two types of warranties consumers can take advantage of: manufacturer warranties and extended warranties. Manufacturer warranties are generally provided at no additional cost and include coverage periods ranging from six months to one year. These warranties go beyond the limited return windows offered by most retailers and provide consumers with a way to protect their investments after retailers’ obligations have ended.
However, while manufacturer warranties can be very helpful, they’re by no means an end-all solution. In fact, depending on the product and manufacturer, the types of issues these warranties cover may be very limited. More often than not, manufacturer warranties pertain directly to problems and defects related to manufacturer error. In other words, if there’s even a chance an issue you’re experiencing is your fault instead of the manufacturer’s, you may be out of luck.
Still, this isn’t to say manufacturer warranties don’t have their advantages. For example, if an appliance experiences problems relating to defective parts or assembly error, a manufacturer warranty can get you the repairs you need or a replacement product free of charge. Unfortunately, since they’re generally not advertised by retailers, many consumers fail to realize that their appliances are protected by manufacturer warranties. So the next time you purchase a new appliance, carefully look over all the paperwork to ensure that you know all the ins and outs of its warranty.
Tackle Repairs Early On
While nipping appliance repairs in the bud may seem like a no-brainer, a staggering number of homeowners fail to address potential problems until the affected appliances become outright unusable. In addition to shortening the lives of important appliances, this approach to repairs can prove financially strenuous. After all, the more serious the issue, the higher the repair costs. Furthermore, allowing problems to go unaddressed for extended periods increases your odds of having to replace certain appliances well before their time.
Not wanting to spend money on repair costs is understandable, but the longer you wait, the bigger the dent you’ll make in your personal finances. Spending a little on a minor repair in the short term is preferable to spending a small fortune on a large-scale repair in the long term. So the next time one of your appliances starts acting up, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a dependable repair service. However, as a general rule of thumb, if an appliance is more than halfway through its expected life span and the repair fees exceed half the cost of purchasing a replacement, replacing it may be a financially sound decision.
Have Your Appliances Inspected Annually
Having your most expensive appliances inspected on an annual basis can save you a tremendous amount of time, money and hassle. A thorough inspection carried out by a seasoned professional can help bring small issues to light before they have a chance to become more serious – and therefore costlier. Such inspections can prove particularly beneficial to older appliances, so if you frequently find yourself wondering, “How old is my appliance?,” annual inspections are a smart investment.
Few of us stop to consider how large of a role appliances play in our daily lives until one of them unexpectedly breaks down or needs to be replaced. In the absence of dependable appliances, many of our everyday tasks would prove considerably more cumbersome and time-consuming. That being the case, it behooves households to keep their appliances in prime condition. Not only is this good for the appliances, it can also be a boon to your personal finances.
