Top Signs That It's Time To Replace Your Appliances

We all dread the moment when an appliance breaks down; they’re what we rely on to keep our clothes clean and prevent our food from spoiling. The moment your dishwasher or washing machine breaks down, it creates additional stress on top of your busy lifestyle. 

Is it time to replace those outdated appliances? If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time for an upgrade:

Water Leaks

Appliances that leak are more trouble than they’re worth. Each time you use them, they leak water that damages your surrounding floors, walls, and cabinets. 

Any appliance that uses water has the potential to leak. In some cases, it might be obvious, like a dishwasher that leaves a pool of water on the floor. But sometimes, water leaks are harder to find; they could be behind a wall or underground. Pay attention to your monthly water bills, and watch for signs of water damage around the house. 

The Appliance Won’t Get Hot Enough

Older appliances may not get hot enough to perform efficiently. This affects heat-producing appliances in a few ways:

• Your oven/stovetop can’t reach the proper temperature to thoroughly and safely cook your food
• Your dryer fails to fully dry your clothes
• Your dishwasher can’t properly sanitize your dishes

How do you know if your appliances are getting hot enough? Check the temperature of your items (food, clothes, or dishes) as soon as the cycle completes. If they’re cold to the touch, you can bet that the appliance requires repairs. 

Expensive Utility Bills

Is your gas, water, or electricity bill higher than normal? It could be due to an inefficient appliance. 

The owner of Napoleon Appliances, a business that provides appliance repair in Ottawa, writes, “When homeowners get an unusually expensive bill, they often feel frustration at other household members. But few of them check to see whether a faulty appliance is causing it.”

Older appliances are less energy-efficient than newer models. By upgrading to a newer version, you’ll enjoy lower utility bills each month.

Strange Noises/Smells

It’s hard to sleep at night when your fridge or dryer produces a constant buzzing noise. You expect your appliances to make some noise as they operate, but not be loud enough to keep you up at night. If your dishwasher is getting louder, don’t ignore it; consider buying a new one, and enjoy a deeper sleep at night. 

Do you notice a strange smell when you heat up leftovers or bake something in the oven? Your cooking skills may not be the issue—instead, it could be your faulty appliances. When your appliances emit a foul odor, they’re due for a replacement.

Food Is Spoiling Quickly

To keep your produce fresh and your leftovers edible, your fridge must maintain a constant temperature. But if your fridge is in a state of disrepair, it might struggle to keep up. 

Do you notice that your food keeps spoiling before the expiration date? Your fridge may be running too warm. First, check the temperature settings to verify that it’s programmed correctly. But if that doesn’t fix it, it may be time for a new one. 

It’s Getting Older

When you first bought your new dishwasher, you were amazed at its efficiency. It took a sink full of greasy, stained dishes and made them sparkle. But now, you’re finding that its performance is lackluster. 

But how do you know if your appliance is past its expiry date? To help you out, we’ve listed the average lifespan of the most common appliances:

• Microwave: 10-12 years
• Stove/oven: 10-15 years
• Dishwasher: 10-13 years
• Refrigerator: 10-12 years 
• Washer/dryer: 10 years

Are your appliances older than these life expectancies? If so, they probably aren’t as efficient as they used to be; you’ll save time and money by investing in a replacement.

It might be tempting to delay an appliance replacement, especially if you expect the bill to be expensive. But replacing appliances sooner than later is worth your while. It’s costly to use broken appliances; they might cause damage to other items or materials in your home.

Looking for appliance installation services? We’ll help you connect with a professional technician in your area, saving you time and money. Contact us today!