Illinois Homeowner Tips: Repair Your Fridge Or Buy New?

One of the biggest headaches that Illinois homeowners dread having to deal with is appliances that break down. It can be stressful when your refrigerator isn't working right, and this is one fix that you won’t be able to put off. Is it a small repair that won’t break your budget, or are you going to have to buy a new appliance?

Here’s what you need to think about when making the decision between refrigerator repair versus replacement.

1. Checklist Before You Call For Repair

There are a few things you can check before you call for repair:

• Is the appliance plugged in?
• Has the circuit breaker been tripped?
• Are accessible compartments and fans clogged with dirt and dust?
• Are the freezer vent openings clear of items to allow air to circulate?

If everything on the list checks out, it’s best to call an experienced appliance contractor who has the knowledge and skills needed to repair refrigerators.

2. How Old Is Your Refrigerator?

Refrigerators have an average life span of about 15 years. This means that even if an inexpensive and minor repair can fix your fridge this time, the next problem may be much more costly. Appliance repair contractors agree that when it comes to repairs on older refrigerators, replacing with a new fridge makes more sense.

If your refrigerator is still working but has a few problems, such as the freezer compartment is no longer cold enough, an alternative is to buy new and still keep the old fridge. You can skip the repair on your older appliance and move it to the basement or garage to use as a secondary unit.

For refrigerator repair, contact a HomeAdvisor appliance expert in Illinois.

3. Check the Warranty on Newer Refrigerators

If you’ve recently bought your refrigerator and it starts having problems, check the warranty to see what repairs the manufacturer covers. Then call an experienced appliance repair contractor. They’ll be able to determine what type of repair is needed and provide you with a quote.

4. Tips When Buying A New Fridge

When your old appliance is on its way out, consider the following when buying a new refrigerator:

• Not all new energy-efficient refrigerators save you as much money as you may think. Do your research on energy efficiency before deciding on a new fridge.
• Check out the features and prices of more than one refrigerator before making your final choice.
• If you’ve been thinking about remodeling your kitchen, talk to a renovation contractor about package deals. They may be willing to provide you with a free of charge fridge as part of their promotion.
• The cost of buying a new appliance will need to factor in the removal of your old refrigerator as well as the draining and disposal of dangerous chemicals according to environment guidelines.

When your refrigerator breaks down and needs repair, call a HomeAdvisor appliance contractor in Illinois.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.