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Repair or Replace?
Dishwasher
Broken and rusting dishwasher racks are a common issue, says Eric Kleinert, author of Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances
At about $100 apiece, they may not be worth replacing if your dishwasher is on its last leg already. Less expensive fixes are cleaning out the inlet screen (where debris can build up) or replacing some seals (broken seals can cause water to leak). More expensive would be a broken pump.
Vacuum
Vacuums range wildly in price, but if you're even mildly handy, it's nearly always worth it to replace a broken belt ($5-$10), which just requires loosening a few screws, says John Sowden, vice president at RepairClinic.com and host of the radio show "The Appliance Repair Show" Sunday mornings on 760 WJR in Michigan (listen at WJR.net). Can't do it yourself? You're probably looking at a minimum of $30 to take it somewhere. On the other hand, if you're smelling a burning smell, it might be the motor-a major repair that likely isn't worth it for less expensive models.
TV and/or DVD player
A general rule of thumb is that if the cost of the repair is more than 50 percent of the value of the appliance, consider replacing it, Kleinert says. That's almost always going to be case with today's televisions and DVD players. "Everything in a plasma TV is expensive to fix," he says. And DVD players are so inexpensive now that almost no one attempts to fix them. One important tip, Kleinert says, is to always use a surge protector to prevent voltage spikes--one of the number one things that ruin televisions.
Lawnmower
If your lawnmower is running sluggish, it could be something very simple, like bad gas (gas left from the previous season), which should be drained. It's usually worth it to get a tune-up for your mower, and to replace the blades (about $20 and one bolt to loosen, Sowden says) or even to have them sharpened (also inexpensive). However, if your mower starts knocking or blowing smoke, that's a much bigger and costlier problem that might empty your wallet.
Fridge
If your ice cream is soft and your milk is warm, don't panic yet. It may just be a dirty condenser coil--an easy fix. If you know your way around a fridge: unplug, take off the back, and use a vacuum to blow air onto the coil to clean. Otherwise, have a tech do it. It's also not too costly to replace fan motors, light switches, or water valves. If your compressor dies, however, that's a big-ticket repair, says Kleinert. Ditto for anything involving the electronics of your fridge.
Oven & Range
If your oven isn't heating, it's likely the bake element coil (in electric ovens) or the igniter (in gas). At around $30-$50 for a coil and $50-$80 for an igniter (plus labor if you can't do it yourself, but they're quick jobs), it's usually worth fixing, Sowden says. For burners that aren't working, it's usually the electrical connection (especially if the burner is working intermittently)--usually worth having a tech look at.
Microwave
While there are a few minor and inexpensive fixes for microwaves, like door switches and light bulbs, it's often not worth it, says Sowden. First, working with microwaves is generally not for do-it-yourselfers (unless you are well-versed in electricity), so service can be costly. Second, the price has come down so much that it's cheaper to replace your $100 microwave than to pay $150 or more for a major repair, such as a circuit board.
Sewing machine
One of the most common issues with sewing machines is stitches getting gummed up. It's usually an easy fix though: check your manual to see how to clean under the needle plate--where lint and dust builds up. The toolkit that came with your machine will include the basic tools for removing the needle plate and cleaning the space below. Sewing machines are all about having the right thread tension--something you can usually troubleshoot yourself. If it's failing to work at all, that's a case for a repair shop--which should at least be able to give you an idea if the problem is worth fixing (and it may be for a very high-end machine) or if it's smarter to just replace.
Room air conditioner
If your room air conditioner isn't cooling anymore, it could be a quick fix or it could mean it's time to throw in the towel. Cleaning the back of the coil is the first step--a job for a DIY-inclined person (or a service person can do it relatively inexpensively). However, if it's an issue with the refrigerant, that's a pretty expensive repair, Sowden says. It may be worth it if you have a larger wall unit. But for smaller window units, it makes more sense to replace.
Water heater
It's pretty simple with water heaters, Kleinert says. "If you have a leak, don't repair: replace." In terms of maintenance and getting the most out of your water heater, once a year, it's a good idea to pull the plug, drain the tank and wash it out so that sediment doesn't get stuck in the tank (which can lead to brownish-looking water).
