Signs that its time to replace your kitchen appliances

Kitchen appliances have a set “shelf life”. While it may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, you can generally expect your refrigerator and dryer to last around 13 years, and dishwashers and microwave ovens to last about nine years. This means that you will need to replace your kitchen appliances every now and then. Aside from their age, some of the signs that the time to replace your kitchen appliances has come include strange noises and smells, power surges, inconsistent performance, etc. Replacing kitchen appliances is also not cheap, which is why you may want to consider getting a home warranty from one of the popular home warranty companies. In this article, we will be showing you all the common signs that your kitchen appliances are due for a replacement.

10 signs that its time to replace your kitchen appliances

Due to the changes in the job market, more and more people are spending quite a bit of time inside their homes. This means that kitchen appliances are working harder than ever before. And this, in turn, means that they may need to be replaced once they stop performing as they should. Here are some of the most common signs that it is time to replace your kitchen appliances:

1. Loud/strange noises
2. Overheating
3. Overcooling
4. Water leaks
5. Strange smells
6. Food is getting spoiled
7. Power surges
8. Inconsistent performance
9. Higher utility bills
10. Consistent repairs

Some of the other warning signs may include flickering lights and knocking sounds but those are more of an indication that you may need to look into repairs. The above signs usually indicate that you may want to replace the appliance rather than repair it. While there are many home repairs that you can do yourself, sometimes it is much better to simply get a replacement. And if you have a home warranty for the appliances, the cost of the replacements will be minimized. That being said, let’s get into a bit more detail about these signs.

Loud/strange noises

Normally, kitchen appliances are not overly loud. Especially the later models. If you happen to notice that your appliances suddenly produce a much louder sound, it may be time to replace them. The loud signs usually mean that the appliance’s motor is working overtime. And that means that something is wrong. While you can try to go for repairs, once the loud noises start happening it is usually better to replace the appliance altogether.

Also, if you happen to notice that your appliances are suddenly producing strange noises, you might want to replace them straight away. These noises are usually indicative of much larger problems. This can happen even if you are cleaning and maintaining kitchen appliances meticulously. If you happen to notice loud hums, clanks, whirrs, or buzzes that weren’t there before, the best thing to do is look for a replacement immediately.

Overheating

The next sign that you may want to replace your kitchen appliances is if you notice that they are overheating. Overheating is a definite sign of excessive wear and tear and can usually only be solved by replacing the appliance. You may want to try repairs first if it is an expensive appliance, however, as not every overheating problem is a motor problem. But if you notice that overheating is due to a motor malfunction, it may be time to replace your kitchen appliances.

While repairing the motor is definitely possible, it is usually quite expensive. It is entirely possible that it will be cheaper to purchase a new appliance than it is to repair an old one. However, if you have an extended kitchen appliance warranty, then the only repair bills you will need to pay are the service fees. In that case, it might be best to repair the appliance first. In some cases, your home warranty will pay for the entire replacement.

Overcooling

Similar to overheating, if you notice that your refrigerating appliances are overcooling all of a sudden, you might want to look into their replacement. The only time when you may want to invest in repairs is if the appliance itself is not old. Overcooling usually indicates internal issues, which are often quite costly to repair. Again, if you have a home warranty for the appliance, repairs become much more enticing. If you don’t, however, replacement is quite often more cost-effective than repairs.

Water leaks

Any appliance that produces water leaks needs to be replaced, simple as that. By replacing any such appliances, you will protect your home from water damage and prevent a lot of stress from coming your way. You may want to move your appliances from time to time to check for any water leaks as they might be difficult to notice if the appliances are close to the wall. Sometimes, the leaks might even be underground! You might also want to pay closer attention to your utility bill (more about that soon).

Strange smells

If you happen to start noticing that any of your appliances produce a strange smell during their operation, you will want to investigate the matter. If there are no clear reasons (old food, improper cleaning, etc.), you should react immediately. And by reacting immediately, we mean replacing the appliance in question. These strange smells may be a result of the appliance starting to melt down and mix with the food. Needless to say, this can be very dangerous. Strange smells usually indicate that the time to replace your kitchen appliances has come.

Food is getting spoiled

This tip is unique to appliances that keep your food fresh, such as refrigerators. If you happen to realize that your food is spoiling much faster than it usually does, chances are that your appliance is to blame. If a fridge, for example, is not capable of maintaining a constant temperature, or runs too warm, the food will spoil rather quickly. This can happen even if you are diligent with your spring home maintenance checklist and make sure that your appliances get all the attention they deserve. These issues might happen due to temperature settings but are usually an indication of a faulty fridge. Repairing a refrigerator is usually more trouble than it’s worth, to be honest, as every time you repair it you also shorten its lifespan. More often than not, you will be better served by replacing it altogether.

Power surges

Any appliances that “trip the breaker” need to be replaced immediately. If you happen to notice that your power goes out when you turn on a specific appliance, you may want to replace it altogether. Before you do so, however, make sure to get someone to look into your power lines first. While appliances are to blame most of the time, sometimes your power grid might need a bit of a rework.

Inconsistent performance

Over time, all appliances start working below their peak potential. While this is perfectly normal to an extent, any appliance that is performing significantly lower than optimal needs to be replaced. Examples of inconsistent performance include ovens that have trouble reaching certain temperatures, food in the freezer that seems to be thawing and refreezing, and clothes needing a very long time in the dryer to dry off. If you notice any of these signs, it is usually time to replace your kitchen appliances.

Higher utility bills

Sometimes, higher utility bills will be the only sign that your appliances need replacing. The appliances that are usually connected with higher utility bills are ovens, ranges, and stoves, but other appliances may contribute to the effect. Throughout standard wear and tear (and possibly improper maintenance), your appliances will perform less efficiently as time goes on. The less efficiently your appliances perform, the more energy they use up. And that results in a higher utility bill. The only way you can remedy the issue is by replacing any ineffective appliances.

Before you put the blame on your appliances, though, make sure that your utility provider hasn’t increased the prices all of a sudden. Utility providers can be rather sneaky about it at times, and the price increase might not be readily apparent.

Consistent repairs

Lastly, one of the “surefire” signs that your appliances need to be replaced is if they require constant and consistent repairs. Even if you have a sizeable budget for home improvements and repairs, it is usually best if you replace the appliance after a couple of repairs. Of course, the best thing is to replace the appliance as soon as you can, rather than repair it. The more you repair something, the more it will break down in the future, after all. Replacements can be costly, however, and you might want to get an “edge” when it comes to them.

Lower your replacement/repair bills by getting a home warranty

Purchasing a home warranty plan comes with two major benefits. First, you will never need to worry about the repair/replacement costs wrecking your monthly budget. Second, you will always have someone to call as soon as you notice that your appliances require either repairs or a replacement. However, there are a few things you need to take into consideration when purchasing a home warranty. The benefits of home warranty plans are amazing but all plans come with exclusions. You need to make sure that you fully understand these exclusions before you sign the contract.

“Proper” Maintenance

Furthermore, a home warranty plan requires you to perform routine maintenance on your appliances. Every plan will have a different maintenance requirement. If you do not meet the requirement, your coverage will be void. Many home warranty scams revolve around the “proper” maintenance requirement. If you want to avoid home warranty scams, you will want to work with reputable providers only. Also, while a home warranty can replace your appliance for you, there are two requirements for that to happen.

First, the service professional that comes to your home needs to conclude that your appliance needs to be replaced. As you might imagine, these individuals can be on the home warranty company’s “payroll” and might be reluctant to do so. That is why it is critically important that you take some time to ensure that you are working with a good home warranty provider.

Coverage

A home warranty plan will cover any appliance, no matter how old it is. That being said, there is usually a 30-day waiting period before the warranty can come into effect. Furthermore, a home warranty only covers repairs and replacements that are required due to normal wear and tear. The home warranty can cover duplicate appliances, as well. Every home warranty plan also has coverage limits that are usually dependent on the monthly or yearly premium you pay.

Here is the list of some of the most common kitchen appliances that a home warranty covers:

• Refrigerators
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Ovens, ranges, and cooktops
• Dishwashers
• Trash compactors
• Built-in food systems and microwaves
• Freestanding ice makers

Aside from covering all the major kitchen appliances, you can get a home warranty add-on to cover virtually any appliance or system inside your home. Two of the most common examples include swimming pools and septic systems. You can also get additional coverage for each individual kitchen appliance. This additional coverage is ideal when you have a professional-grade appliance that is extremely costly. With a good home warranty plan, whenever the time to replace your kitchen appliances comes, you will only need to pay for service fees.

Service fees

Every home warranty plan will have a set service fee. This fee includes getting someone to your home to repair or replace your appliance. This means that you know in advance exactly how much the repair/replacement is going to cost. And can, therefore, plan your monthly budget a lot more easily for the time to replace your kitchen appliances.

For more information on home warranties, top home warranty companies, or tips and tricks on how to properly maintain your appliances, browse and explore the Consumer Opinion Guide. You will find all the answers within our expansive knowledge database!