Does your washing machine make you stand all along, holding the wash button just so that it can work? Does your fridge door almost come apart or make huge noise whenever you open your fridge? Almost everyone has electronic items at home that are too old to be repaired. Either you give them away to your local kabaadiwala or contact us for a better deal.
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However, we also have some items that are neither too old nor too new to be replaced. What are we supposed to do with these items?
If you have found yourself asking the question — Is my TV / fridge too old and needs to be replaced or can work a few more years? Well, it is an important question because we certainly don’t want to lose out on good products just because they are a bit older than their fancier cousins. And we certainly shouldn’t be throwing them away if they are in a good shape.
So here is a 4-point guide to help you understand if it’s time for your products to retire or if they can still be used for a few more years.
1. Abrupt Breakdowns
Have you ever wondered why your refrigerator conks off at times, only to work splendidly when the repairman comes? Old gadgets and electronics break down abruptly and sometimes without any reason. If the problem happens at least once a month, then it would be better to replace it before it conks off completely.
2. Big Bills
A key sign to understand if your electronic item is being overused is to check for an increase in electricity bill. If your electricity bills have suddenly gone up for no explainable reason, try switching off the suspected item for a month and see if it really is to be blamed.
3. Cost of Maintenance
It’s sometimes cheaper to buy a new electronic item than getting the older one repaired. For instance, an old fan’s motor or a microwave’s spare part might come at a quarter of the price of the new one. If you think the repairing and spare parts cost you almost 50% of a new product’s cost, it would be wise to get rid of the old one but a new product.
4. Decreased Performance
Over time, the performance of all electronic gadgets decreases. Fans make too much of noise, TV screen becomes grainy and the speaker’s sound reduces or the air conditioner doesn’t cool the way it should. These are all signs of ageing of your electronics. No amount of servicing or repair can get your electrical item work like earlier.
These are the guidelines on your agenda list to check for all your old electronics. And while you are at it, Diwali is coming. How about buying a new washing machine or fridge for your home?
Note: This post was originally published in October 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.