North County Real Estate News February 2014 Issue Vol.1 | Page 7

Large Appliances by Angie Hicks W appliance. Our researchers hear frequently about situations in which a repair saved a consumer significant money over the cost of replacement. One recent example featured a Maryland member of Angie’s List who considered replacing his 15-yearold refrigerator when water leaked from the bottom. The top-rated repair service he hired found that the leak was caused by a clogged defrost drain in the freezer, easily repaired for $99. The service provider estimated the fridge would last another five or six years with the fix, compared to a cost of $1,500 hen the fridge goes warm or the washing machine stops spinning, you may face a crucial question: Is it worth spending time and money getting an appliance repaired, or would it be wiser to replace it? The answer depends on numerous factors. Our consumer-services research team, in talking to top-rated appliance repair professionals from around the country, recommends these guidelines for deciding