Last Updated on April 15, 2021 by teamobn
As any homeowner will tell you, big-ticket appliances don’t come cheap. Even lower-end dishwashers, laundry machines and refrigerators are liable to cost a pretty penny.
Furthermore, having essential appliances serviced, repaired and replaced can put a sizable hole in your personal finances. That being the case, properly caring for these devices and making them last as long as possible is the best way to get a return on your investment.
While this may strike you as cumbersome, challenging and time-consuming, keeping your most important appliances in prime condition should be well within your abilities.
Invest in a Good Home Warranty
Even if proper care is taken, the occasional appliance mishap is unavoidable. When this happens, it’s recommended that you have the issue addressed posthaste instead of allowing it to linger and potentially grow into something more serious.
However, for fear of spending money, many people opt to leave seemingly small issues alone until they turn into full-blown breakdowns. While there’s nothing wrong with being careful with your money, failing to address issues as they arise is not a cost-effective approach to appliance maintenance.
This is where a good home warranty enters the equation. The right home warranty will cover a broad range of essential appliances, ensuring that you won’t have to put a dent in your finances every time a repair is needed. No homeowner who’s serious about making their appliances last should be without one of these warranties, and since they’re affordable on virtually any budget, you’re practically guaranteed to see a return on your investment. So, if you haven’t already done so, now is the time to start looking at home warranty prices.
Adhere to Manufacturers’ Recommended Service Schedules
Many home appliances need to be inspected and/or serviced on a regular basis in order to run at peak efficiency.
Refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers and central air units are all examples of appliances that should be professionally serviced once a year – if not more. Although certain brands and models require annual inspections, some may need to be inspected and/or cleaned multiple times each year, particularly if they receive a fair amount of use.
Failure to adhere to recommended service schedules can result in appliances running well below their ideal efficiencies, thereby increasing your power costs and presenting potential safety hazards.
If you’re unclear on any of your appliances’ respective service schedules, have a look at the owner’s manuals or consult the manufacturers’ websites. Sticking to a service schedule can help you stave off major breakdowns and save a small fortune in repair costs.
Consider Extended Warranties
When presented with the opportunity to purchase extended warranties, many of us will answer “No” without a second thought.
In many respects, this is understandable. After all, extended warranties aren’t smart purchases for every appliance. Furthermore, given how pricey major appliances tend to be, most people aren’t amenable to spending even more money when it comes time to finalize their purchases.
Still, if you intend to get many years of use out of a certain appliance, an extended warranty may be worth considering. These warranties generally cover a broad range of issues and can provide comprehensive protection for expensive investments. While hesitance to spend money is understandable, it’s better to have one and not need it than need it and not have one.
Use Appliances as Directed
Habitual misuse can slowly destroy even the most resilient appliances. In many cases, people misuse appliances without even realizing it. It isn’t until a device completely breaks down that they come to understand how poorly they’ve treated it.
To nip this issue in the bud, make a point of reading the owner’s manual for each new appliance you purchase and familiarizing yourself with the recommended rules of operation.
In addition to prolonging the lives of your appliances, this can help you avoid a sizable assortment of safety hazards. 
Home appliances play a much larger role in helping us sustain our lifestyle than most people realize, and a single appliance breakdown stands to affect every member of your household. For example, a washing machine, dishwasher or oven going on the fritz can easily throw any family’s daily routine into disarray. Additionally, having these devices replaced is likely to leave a sizable hole in your finances. To nip unexpected breakdowns and premature replacements in the bud, put the previously discussed measures to good use.
