Sometimes the cost of repairing an old appliance just doesn’t make sense. But when is a good time and which brand should I consider buying? Last week I sat down with Chris Boucher of De Anza Appliance, Service and Repair to ask him a few questions about buying a new appliance.

When is it time to repair vs. replace my appliance?

There are many factors to consider, but the general rule of thumb is if your appliance is less than 10 years old, have someone take a look at it. If it’s over 15 years old I suggest you consider replacing it. New appliances will be more efficient and you’ll start over with a new life. That middle ground depends on a couple of things: 1) Is the device in good condition? 2) Is it built into the cabinet and more difficult to install? 3) How long will it be before I remodel my kitchen again? With some appliances, such as built-in double wall ovens, professional-style ranges, large Sub Zeros, or other built-in appliances, it may be worth repairing an older model, as the replacement cost could be thousands of dollars. I would estimate the lifespan of most today’s washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators to be 12-18 years; and dryers, ovens and stoves between 15 and 25 years.

With so many brands out there, how can I know which one is best for me?

Whirlpool is a manufacturer that owns several brands. Today, Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air appliances are made by the Whirlpool company. Sweden-based Electrolux owns the Frigidaire brand and recently acquired General Electric’s home appliance division. Whirlpool also makes the Kirkland brand you see at Costco and many of the appliances you find at IKEA.

There are far fewer brands than you might think. For example, Kenmore at Sears is built by other manufacturers. Most of their current models are made by Whirlpool, Electrolux, Samsung, or LG. Sears has the most brands of any major retailer, but your sales team might recommend Kenmore as it has the best profit margins.

Other big box chains carry the brands Electrolux, LG, Samsung and Whirlpool. Check local independent dealers like University Electric or Airport Appliance if you’re looking for commercial or boutique brands, like Dacor, Speed ​​Queen, Sub Zero, or Thermador. Although you may pay a little more, we always recommend our clients to start there. You’ll get a better selection, a more trained sales staff, and full-service installation options. Price is sometimes negotiable at freelancers, especially if you’re shopping for a couple clothes or doing a complete kitchen remodel.

Checking consumer reports for repair rates and efficiency ratings doesn’t provide the complete picture. If you have an appliance repair company that you work with, talk to their technicians and ownership team about the brands they service, the ones that last the longest, the brands that have lower repair costs. Finding a good service company that you can trust to handle your appliance repairs is just as important as having a quality appliance. Even the best rated machines can break down and you are in a bind if you don’t have a good service company.

What can I do to help make the selling process easier?

Size Matters. If you have a repairman in your home and decide it’s better to replace rather than repair, have him measure both the appliance and the opening around the appliance. The “cut out” dimensions will help guide the sales professional in finding an appliance that is closest to the existing opening. Whether the new built-in appliance is larger or smaller, knowing the dimensions helps the installation team provide an accurate quote that includes cutting cabinets or countertops or building trim to fill in the gaps.

What is important to you; time saving features, energy efficiency or price. With today’s drives, you usually can’t have it all. Less expensive appliances will last longer, but they won’t be as efficient or have as many options as their more expensive counterparts. Energy efficient washers and dishwashers can save you money, but they sometimes have longer cycle times than you’re charged for. Feature-packed appliances, especially refrigerators with ice makers, computer-controlled crispers, and other added electronics provide plenty of convenience, but you sacrifice energy efficiency and pay a higher price.

Be prepared to answer questions like; how many people live in your home, how many loads of laundry do you wash, do you wash king-size bedding, do you cook often, do you like to bake, how often do you go shopping, what appliance features are important to you .