Keeping High-End Appliances Up and Running on the Cheap

Calling certain appliances “essential” is far from hyperbole. In the absence of refrigerators, washing machines and other common household appliances, daily life would look a lot different. These appliances make our lives easier by taking the burden out of a variety of everyday tasks. Given how important such devices are, there’s little wonder as to why they cost so much to repair and replace. As any homeowner can attest, few things are more aggravating than having to replace an expensive appliance that broke down before living out its projected lifespan. Luckily, keeping high-end appliances up and running for many years doesn’t have to eat away at your finances or leisure time. To ensure that you get the maximum ROI for your essential appliances, put the following pointers into practice.

Home Warranties

When faced with an appliance on the fritz, many of us are faced with two options: paying for repairs or replacing the device. For a cost-conscious consumer, neither option is particularly attractive. Depending on the appliance and the scope of the problem, you’re liable to end up spending a princely sum either way.

This is where a good home warranty is likely to come in handy. However, you may be wondering, “What is a home warranty and what does it cover?” In short, a comprehensive home warranty provides coverage for a broad assortment of major appliances and effectively takes the stress out of appliance repair. Having a dependable home warranty in your corner ensures that the next time an essential appliance acts up, you won’t instinctively start focusing on how much the repairs will cost. So, if peace of mind is what you’re after, a home warranty should be right up your alley.

To sweeten the deal, a decent home warranty is affordable on virtually any budget. Whether this is your first time purchasing one of these warranties or you wish to replace an existing one, there’s no time like the present to start comparing home warranty prices.

Timely Service Calls

When an appliance begins exhibiting problems, many of us opt to keep an eye on the issue and hope it eventually works itself out. After all, in the absence of a good home warranty, service calls can be rather costly. However, the longer you wait to have certain problems addressed, the more time they’ll have to become far more pressing issues. While a service call may cost you a little bit of money in the short term, it stands to save you a lot more in the long run.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full effect, service calls now carry certain risks. Since most of the repair professionals you’ll encounter spend their days interacting with other clients and visiting the homes of potentially infected parties, take care to don a facemask and other essential PPE when dealing with these individuals. Furthermore, make sure any repairman you let into your home has a mask on, and take care to thoroughly disinfect any surfaces they’ve touched following their departure.

Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance can help keep your big-ticket appliances in prime condition for years to come. For example, certain appliances need to be inspected and serviced at least once a year. Additionally, some appliances need to be cleaned on a regular basis in order to operate at peak efficiency.

Manufacturer Warranties

It’s easy to see why many frugal consumers shy away from extended warranties. For starters, they stand to add hundreds of dollars to purchases that are already quite expensive. Secondly, for many appliances, they’re not a particularly wise investment. However, this isn’t to say that manufacturer warranties don’t have their advantages. Although the exact terms and conditions vary, most major appliances are protected by free manufacturer warranties. These warranties generally last between six months and one year and cover problems that are explicitly the fault of the manufacturer.

While manufacturer warranties typically aren’t as accommodating as extended warranties, you can’t argue with the price. So, the next time a relatively new appliance gives you a problem, check the terms of its manufacturer warranty. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to have the issue taken care of for free.

Dependable appliances tend to carry hefty price tags. Since certain appliances are designed to last for more than a decade, there’s little wonder as to why they cost so much. In light of how much money is spent on high-end appliances, properly maintaining them is essential to getting the best return on your investment. Fortunately, providing these devices with the car and maintenance they require doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor.