When is the repair of the washing machine worthwhile?
Who does not know the problem: The old washing machine no longer provides radiant white laundry as it used to. In addition, the door makes problems, a wash does not work and even the power cord does not look quite so good. It is legitimately asked the question of whether it is still worth the repair or a new device ago. We would like to answer this question in this article.
Repair or new purchase: look carefully and calculate
Basically, the repair of a large household appliance in the bottom line in almost all cases is cheaper than the exchange for a new device. But the advice of the expert also often causes disillusionment: He often argues that the washing machine is already old and spare parts are difficult to get anyway. And who knows when the next part will break. However, no one should get rid of the old device so hastily. The closer look and recalculation is worthwhile in any case.
New appliances are actually more economical than their colleagues from the past. Nevertheless, a repair can be worth more than the new purchase. A simple example: a family of four washes about five loads a week. After ten years, the drain pump of the washing machine is leaking. The family finds over My Hammer a craftsman who can repair the washing machine for 100 euros. Is the investment worth it?
At a consumption of 1.4 KW and 70 liters, the old device consumes about 40 percent more than a new washing machine. The investment of a new device would pay for itself after just over 12 years. Whether the new device reaches this age at all, is questionable. On the other hand, if the family decides to repair, they can balance the investment in just three years.
If nothing helps: Tips to buy a new washing machine
If the old washing machine has finally given up the ghost or the repair is so expensive that it simply does not pay, then only the new purchase remains. There is a lot to be aware of in this area, because a lot has happened since the last washing machine purchase. Modern washing machines can be integrated into the WLAN and conveniently controlled via the app via smartphone or tablet. Modern technology has also reduced water and electricity consumption.
For a Buntes Buntes (5 kg) modern machines require up to 50 liters of water and less than a kilowatt of electricity (at 40 degrees). In the 1970s, the water consumption with 200 liters and the power consumption with about three KW to book. Twenty-five years ago, water consumption was halved to around 100 liters, which, in contrast to today's standards, is still relatively high. The devices after the millennium were not as economical as today's washing machines: they consume on average more than 65 liters of water. Even if the difference to modern machines is minimal at first glance, a lot will come together in the course of the year.
If you have a 15- to 25-year-old device that gives up the ghost, you should think carefully about whether the repair is worthwhile. The new acquisition alone can reduce the operating costs by 50 to 75 percent - so the investment is already balanced in a few years. How much you can save exactly when buying a new washing machine can be calculated with this online washing calculator.
When buying a new washing machine you should pay attention to the following:
- Capacity: Washing machines are offered with different drum sizes. How big this should be depends on how many people live in the household. For a family with one or two children you need a minimum of seven kilograms. For larger families, the drum size should be between eight and 12 kilograms.
- Energy consumption: The EU energy label was launched to assess energy consumption. This is given to every washing machine available in the EU and is intended to show consumers how efficient the machine is. In Europe since 2011 no more devices are sold, whose energy efficiency class is worse than? B? is. Good machines have the energy efficiency class? A ?,? A + ?,? A + ?.
- Construction: In addition to the washing effect and energy efficiency and the construction of the household appliance plays a major role in the purchase of a new washing machine. In Germany, the front loaders dominate. The flap for filling and removing the laundry is located at the front. As an alternative, there are the so-called top loader. Here the washing machine is filled from above and unloaded. Top loaders make the most sense in small and cramped rooms.
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