Is it Worth Repairing an Oven?

Few labour-saving devices have brought us so much joy and utility as our trusty ovens. Nearly every household in Australia has an oven to make tasty meat pies, baked goods, and warm meals on command, but these helpful devices are also prone to all sorts of problems over time.

Is it worth repairing an oven? Well, it depends. Without having a look at the oven, it’s really impossible to determine whether it’s more cost-effective to replace it or to repair it. There are, however, a few general rules to help you make the choice.

Average Lifespan of an Oven

Although some people claim that ‘they don’t build them like they used to,’ ovens simply aren’t built to last forever, now or in the past. Most appliances have an expected lifespan which can differ drastically from manufacturer to manufacturer, but generally you can expect the following for most commercially-sold ovens in Australia:

Electric ovens: 13 years
Gas ovens: 15 years

Naturally, if you’re considering repairs on an oven that’s already seen its best years gone by, the sensible choice is typically to replace it with a new model. But what’s the correct threshold for when it’s right to repair it?

Repair or Replace?

A good rule of thumb for most white goods is that if the cost of repairs exceeds 50 per cent of the cost of buying anew, then it’s often best to toss it out and replace it with a new model.

That being said, quite often broken down or malfunctioning white goods will cost half or less of the ticket price of a newer model to be repaired, so it’s always a good idea to get a good estimate from an appliance repair technician first.

Lastly, consider that white goods make up a lot of waste in landfills and contribute to a growing environmental crisis, so even if the cost is marginally more to repair than to replace, keeping your existing oven a few more years can delay damage to the environment from wasteful behaviour.

Replacement Parts

A major variable that depends on the nature of the problem your oven is having has to do with the availability (and thus, price) of replacement parts and components. If your appliance repair technician has a good quantity of suitable replacement parts on hand, repairs may be quite a bit cheaper than anticipated.

Conversely, if your appliance repair company is quoting too high a price for your tastes, perhaps it’s best to replace the appliance altogether or to request a quote from a reputable appliance repair company instead.

Good Maintenance and Preventative Care

Even if your oven isn’t in urgent need of repair, good maintenance and replacement parts installed earlier rather than later can extend the lifespan of your oven for years to come. By acting earlier, and by exercising good cleaning routines such as cleaning out burner hobs on gas ranges, for example, can delay the need for repairs (and replacement).

Perhaps the biggest benefit of routine cleaning and occasional maintenance is simply in cost. By preventing serious damage down the line, including critical damage that requires replacement of your oven, you’ll be saving money in the long term.

Domestic Appliance Repair

If your oven requires maintenance or repair, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly folks at Domestic Appliance Repair today.

Brands & Suburbs We Regularly Service