When you need to replace appliances in your home, as a senior, what's the best way to go?

[Ruth n Jersey]

I was in my kitchen this morning and got to thinking about how old our appliances are. Some way past their prime but still working. I am 71, the hubby is 77. We own our home, and in reasonably good health. I'm pretty sure we will have to replace most every appliance we have including the small ones such as toaster oven, microwave,etc. not to far down the line. We aren't rich but live a comfortable life style, and like most everyone we worry about health issues. So many things can happen in a flash at out ages. My question is this, do you replace with top of the line appliances,?Buy the cheapest, do you get a warranty? Do you replace before the appliance dies? If thinking in lines of resale of the home, top of the line won't be top of the line in just a few short years. What do you do when having to replace an item?

 

[SeaBreeze]

We never get the cheapest or top of the line, usually something basic that suits our needs and a reputable brand, never get the warranties. We generally don't replace until it dies or starts acting up. Recently our very old freezer died and we replaced it with a smaller one, same brand, Frigidaire.

Our older fridge that started acting up was a Magic Chef, will never get that brand again, replaced that one with a Frigidaire too, been very reliable. Never had or wanted a fridge with the ice maker, water dispenser, etc. Always got the basic freezer on top models. Our kitchen is tiny so the refrigerator has to be a smaller size too, which makes selection limited.

Our electric stove is an Amana, had that for years and still works fine. Washer (frontloader) and dryer are Sear's Kenmore brand, no complaints about them. I don't think much about the resale of my home, an appliance is easy enough to replace for the buyer, plus our current plan is to stay here.

 

[aeron]

We read the reviews wherever possible and go for functionality rather than bells and whistles. Simplicity is good too. Six years ago we bought a new very up market gas cvooker, it cost close to £1700 and it turned out to be a load of rubbish. Thermostats went South, electronic ignition gave up the ghost, self cleaning ovens didn't.

We had it professionally cleaned and sold it. Our replacement of a separate induction hob and a fitted eye level oven have been faultless for over five years and a fraction of the price.

Microwaves and toasters are consumables as far as we are concerned, we buyb cheap kettles and keep a spare for when the one in use goes pop, and we plan to replace the dishwasher, freezer, and 'fridge every five years at the most, but we buy not cheap, but not top of the range.

 

[Marie5656]

I was talking with Rick recently about replacing a couple of our smaller appliances, microwave, convection oven etc. Rick is the research guy and does a lot of price comparisons, and such. We usually go for middle of the line. We figure what we buy now will be the last we get. Any major appliances we have would probably go with the house if we sell. No warranties, as we feel we use them until they die, and just replace. The next big appliance we will need to replace will probably be the oven. It is a GE that I got new when I bought the house, 25 years ago!!! WOW.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I stick with basic models of most things because I never seem to use anything other than the on off switch.

IMO if you see something that you want, can afford and will enjoy you should buy it.

Check around and go where the home builders in your area buy appliances, see about a set of contractors grade appliances that all match for a package price, delivery, set up, etc...

Good luck!!!

 

[Arachne]

Trust me when I say stay away from Samsung and LG very expensive to repair and fail often unfortunately. ( 30 years in Appliance Service). Also basic models are the best value, if you go for all those fancy things, you will pay for it when it breaks down. Oh and they do not build em like they use to. They are considered throw away after couple years.

 

[RadishRose]

I did replace my fridge, stove and range hood last June. I got GE Adora, a brand made especially for Home Depot, I think it's a bit higher end than middle of the road, but definitely high not end. Reasonable.

The fridge/freezer is slightly smaller than full size, due to my condo design, just basic and since it's an Energy Star, estimated cost to run is $48.00 per year.

My old stove had a broken burner and the self-clean mode was also broken. This new one has a convection feature too and we use it for quicker baking for things on a flat or very low rimmed baking sheets which saves energy. The 4 burners (glass top) each have 3 pot sizes, another energy saver.

The range hood/exhaust fan I chose was only to match the stove, cheapo at $99.00 but it works fine, cannot have exterior ducted hoods in the condo anyway.

I'm hanging onto my old dishwasher for dear life, since now I am retired!

 

[Ina]

My Kenmore washer and dryer were purchased in 1990, and I've only had to have them repair once each. My stove is a 1940 Chambers. It has a deepwell in the back, that lets me slowly cook whatever I want. It works on just the a low fire or the pilot light. It works like the individual slow cookers of today. It has a top griddle and broiler, which I appreciate because it is hard for me to bend over, and it has three top burners as well. :wave:

 

[AprilSun]

I purchased a new Whirlpool washer in December and that was a mistake! It never filled correctly since it was delivered. I didn't have a choice as to what level of water I wanted. It decided for me but it was incorrect! I HATED that thing! I had them to come back and get it and I went out and purchased a refurbished Kenmore and I LOVE IT plus the money I saved! They are putting too many computer parts in appliances today. If I want a computer, I will go out and buy one and don't want one in my appliances if I can help it! As for when you should replace them, I would hang on to them as long as they're working. Your old ones are made better than the new ones today! I've had several appliance men to tell me that.

 

[Don M.]

They are putting too many computer parts in appliances today. If I want a computer, I will go out and buy one and don't want one in my appliances if I can help it! As for when you should replace them, I would hang on to them as long as they're working. Your old ones are made better than the new ones today! I've had several appliance men to tell me that.

For sure on all this "Gee Whiz" stuff they are putting in appliances, today. One of the daughters/Son-in-Laws bought a fancy stove 3 or 4 years ago, and it crapped out this Fall. I checked it out, and it looked like the control panel had burned out....and the best price I found for a new panel was "$630. I am firmly convinced that the Simpler, the Better. We have an old Montgomery Wards freezer in the basement that we bought back in the early '70's, and it is still working just fine. Our other appliances are all fairly basic, with just knobs, for controls, and NO touch panels. I've had to replace a burner control in the stove, and a thermostat in the fridge....maybe $50 total...and I clean out the dryer good every year, and replace the washer hoses every 5 years....not bad for almost 15 years.

 

[Manatee]

Today's latest fad will in a few short years be "yesterdays leftover".

I keep thinking about some of the elderly appliances that came with our condo which we bought 2 years ago. The problem is that we need to agree on the replacements. This involves factors like I am tall and she is not.

A few years ago we bought a side by side fridge and hated it. It stayed with the house when we moved.

 

[aeron]

So much that you now see with traditional names are made by very non traditional manufacturers. Hot point is a classic example.

When it comes to embedded computers, they are very much cheaper to incorporate than traditional controls and depending on the software load the same computer will be used across a range of products. On the plus side most products today are far less expensive in real terms than some time ago. The classic example is television. Much cheaper and much more reliable.

We can buy an average 'fridge / freezer for well under £200 and at that price with the all up repair costs around £100 per visit on most things its a throwaway if you get more than a couple of years out of it which together with legal warranties here in the EU means that if white goods fail within 5 years or so we can go after the manufacturer irrespective of any warranty he has provided.

 

[jnos]

Our Frigidaire refrigerator was 26 years old and working fine, but becoming very noisier every year (clunking noises). I've always had good luck with the brand, even though have heard newer models are not nearly as reliable as old. We replaced it with a slightly bigger Frigidaire, We were planning to replace the stove with new but a friend was selling hers for $75, so for now we have that. Not one I would choose, but works fine. I wouldn't spend a fortune on anything at this point at this point. We're 69 and 70.

 

[tnthomas]

I use Consumer's Reports as a guideline for sorting out makes and models. I shy away from fancy "bells & whistles" and just want an appliance to perform it's basic mission. For example, certain models of refrigerators can connect with you, via your cell phone to let interact with it. ??? Not necessary in my life.

I usually go with a midrange priced model, with a decent reliability rating.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

If it ain't broke, what's the problem? I have a fridge, that not only is it old enough to vote, it could have helped elect Pres. Carter. Yeah it may cost me a few dollars more to run it, but is that enough to get a new one? Still keeps food cold. But if turns out that getting a new one will be significantly cheaper, it's gone.
And yeah, you're right. Even if you update with the most expensive appliances, it is going to look SO 2017.

 

[Butterfly]

For sure on all this "Gee Whiz" stuff they are putting in appliances, today. One of the daughters/Son-in-Laws bought a fancy stove 3 or 4 years ago, and it crapped out this Fall. I checked it out, and it looked like the control panel had burned out....and the best price I found for a new panel was "$630. I am firmly convinced that the Simpler, the Better. We have an old Montgomery Wards freezer in the basement that we bought back in the early '70's, and it is still working just fine. Our other appliances are all fairly basic, with just knobs, for controls, and NO touch panels. I've had to replace a burner control in the stove, and a thermostat in the fridge....maybe $50 total...and I clean out the dryer good every year, and replace the washer hoses every 5 years....not bad for almost 15 years.

I have one of those old Montgomery Wards 1970s chest freezers, too, and it is still working just fine, too, after all these years. The only downside is it is not self-defrosting and defrosting it is a backbreaking job. But it has outperformed and outlived two other, much newer freezers, which I had (one at a time) in addition to the old Wards. I'm also still using an old 1970s olive green Sears dryer -- works fine. My "new" gas stove, only about 15 years old, is still working fine, too.

I agree with you -- the simpler the better. Why does anyone need all that digital computerized stuff on kitchen appliances? Just more stuff to break down.

 

[aeron]

But MUCH cheaper to manufacture.

 

[Don M.]

I agree with you -- the simpler the better. Why does anyone need all that digital computerized stuff on kitchen appliances? Just more stuff to break down.

I think many of today's consumer goods...appliances, cars, etc.,,,,,are being marketed for today's younger generations....the types who go into panic mode if they loose cell phone reception. These people have been doctrinated into thinking that the "bells and whistles" are more important than basic functionality. All these "extra's" are prone to failure, and quite expensive to repair when they fail. More and more, we are becoming a throw-away society, and then so many people wonder why they can't save for their retirements. I was talking to a young couple a few days ago, and they said they are paying $150 a month for their cell phone service...and having to finance a new set of tires for their car....DUH???

 

[Butterfly]

I think many of today's consumer goods...appliances, cars, etc.,,,,,are being marketed for today's younger generations....the types who go into panic mode if they loose cell phone reception. These people have been doctrinated into thinking that the "bells and whistles" are more important than basic functionality. All these "extra's" are prone to failure, and quite expensive to repair when they fail. More and more, we are becoming a throw-away society, and then so many people wonder why they can't save for their retirements. I was talking to a young couple a few days ago, and they said they are paying $150 a month for their cell phone service...and having to finance a new set of tires for their car....DUH???

What some people pay for cell phone service is absurd! Do they REALLY need to be on that cell phone all the time? Also, many of them don't actually read the stuff they're agreeing to in those cell phone contracts -- like that $100/mo isn't the REAL price at all, just the base to which a zillion things are added on (I'm not talking about taxes, etc., that can't be avoided, but things like that after so many minutes you're going to be paying more, and for data you're going to be paying more, etc. -- do people REALLY need internet data on their cell phones?). And they're not watching weird "bundling" costs, etc. that run the bill up into the stratosphere as well. And games, and all kinds of downloads they pay for, and god knows what all else.

 

[Meanderer]

We refer to our appliances as "servants". From what I read, good servants are hard to find, and expensive to keep. A washer and dryer should work as a team....a washer that spin drys the laundry, to "almost dry" helps its fellow servant, the dryer, have an easier time drying things. Likewise, a refrigerator that keeps food at the right temperatures, makes for a safe meal, that can be heated quicker by it's pal the range. The trick is to look for the servant who is laying down on the job and replace them. As far as "bells & whistles", remember that for the steam locomotive, they were life-saving equipment.

 

[Manatee]

I use Consumer's Reports as a guideline for sorting out makes and models.

My problem with Consumers is that everything they report on is either too expensive or doesn't meet our needs. We have no need for hybrid cars, 4x4 vehicles or appliances that won' fit in the space of the one that they replace.

 

[Butterfly]

I never replace appliances until they are either dead or at death's door. As long as they are doing the job, they have a place in my kitchen or laundry room. I just don't see much point in paying a whole bunch of money (can you BELIEVE what a refrigerator costs these days?) for something to replace something else that is still working. I don't worry about resale value, because it is pretty obvious to me that I'm stuck in this place for life because I can't really afford to move anywhere else.