What do you do if your coffee maker or vacuum cleaner is broken? Nearly three-quarters of people throw away a broken appliance and replace it with a new one, while most appliances are still repairable. A shame because, aside from being a scientific fact, if you ask the experts from Starline Appliance Repair North Vancouver, repairing is usually better because less energy and raw materials are needed than for new products.

It is tempting to immediately go to the store or search the internet for a replacement if something is broken. But the value of a product in raw materials and production costs is much higher than what we pay for it. During the production of new appliances, among other things, the greenhouse gas CO2 is released, just like when transporting to your front door or the store. Repairing is the smartest solution. You can enjoy your appliance again, the environment is spared a bit and it also saves in your wallet if you get started yourself (or with the help of a volunteer).

Maintaining appliances

Many problems are the result of poor maintenance: dust-freeing, cleaning, descaling, lubricating, and tightening. Properly maintaining your appliances is essential for a longer lifespan.

Most appliances do not like dust. Not even a vacuum cleaner! 😉 Therefore, clean your things regularly and dust-free. For example, the motors of hairdryers burn less quickly. Do not only replace the dust bag of your vacuum cleaner, but also the filters if they are full. Descale kettles and coffee makers once every few weeks with lemon juice and water. For example, it takes less time before the water is warm (energy-saving) and the chance that these appliances will break down due to lime is smaller.

The instructions for use state for each product how you best maintain it. Fortunately, most manuals can also be found online.

 

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Repairing appliance

The first step towards a circular economy is to repair broken items instead of throwing them away and replacing them.

Tip: First check carefully whether the appliance has really been killed. Sometimes a button is stuck, or only a small part is broken. Find the instructions for use for tips.

Appliances that no longer work are not immediately worthless. On the contrary! Often you can breathe new life into them yourself with a small repair. Repairing is much better in many cases because the production of a new appliance costs energy and raw materials and causes environmental pollution. That does not apply to some energy guzzlers, such as old refrigerators and washing machines. Broken refrigerators and freezers with labels A++ or lower are better replaced with a new ones. Energy-guzzling washing machines with a D-label or lower are better taken to the environmental street if they stop and buy an economical, new one. Just like dishwashers with label B or lower.

Repair yourself

If you screw the appliance open to adjust the soldering on the circuit board, you don’t need our tips at all. In this case, repairing comes down to investigating what is broken and then replacing the broken part. Parts of appliances are often for sale via the Internet at special parts stores and from manufacturers. Furthermore, the internet is full of instructional videos.

The first step is to look at the appliance and find out what’s broken. Sometimes a part is broken or cracked, or you see rust spots. If you know what is broken, you can easily order that part and replace it yourself. It is smart to first check whether all wires are properly attached to the so-called contact points, the copper-colored surfaces. You have fixed it again in no time. Cleaning these contact points and smearing them with a contact spray also helps.

Get help

Can’t quite figure it out, or do you have two left hands? You can get help at a repair shop nearby. Even if you do not have the right tools, you can visit a repair shop. These are meetings where volunteers with the knowledge and skills (together with you) repair things. All the tools and materials to carry out the repairs are present. At a repair shop, from coffee makers and vacuum cleaners to lamps, kettles, and sewing machines are repaired. This way you can do something good together for yourself and the climate! Find a repair shop near you, drink a cup of coffee and repair your belongings.

Drop off and buy a new appliance

Is your appliance no longer feasible? Before you make a purchase, check whether your potential new purchase is easy to repair. There are several simple things you can pay attention to. No guarantees, but the chance is greater than your new purchase will stay with you much longer! What can you look out for? Do a repair check.