Consumers are being encouraged to act when something goes wrong with their home appliances, and to explore their repair options to help keep products in use for longer wherever possible.
AMDEA has launched a new campaign encouraging a simple shift in thinking: when an appliance develops a fault, consider whether repair could be an option before automatically replacing it.
According to recent research commissioned by the trade association, seven in 10 Brits have ignored warning signs on a large household appliance, including overheating, error messages, funny smells – and even water leaks. The study of 2,000 adults also found that 40 per cent did so because the appliance was still appearing to work, while 33 per cent simply hoped the issue would resolve itself.
Plus, 22 per cent of consumers owned up to replacing their large household appliances, such as a washing machine or dryer, at the first sign of trouble rather than trying to fix them.
The biggest concerns around arranging a repair were the potential costs (49 per cent), the appliance being too old (32 per cent) and worries that the repair won’t last (29 per cent). And the figures from OnePoll.com showed that the most replaced items without checking for repairs were washing machines, microwaves and fridge-freezers.
Alice Beer and AMDEA CEO, Stefan Hay, talking to radio stations about the launch of the Repair Before Replace campaign
But AMDEA’s Repair Before Replace message extends beyond large home appliances; smaller appliances, including coffee machines, can also have more life to give when repair is an option.
As part of the campaign launch, the association enlisted the help of consumer journalist, Alice Beer, who said that replacing an appliance is often the default position…
“But what many people may not realise is that repairs by a good engineer are often much simpler and more affordable than they expect. That’s why, when something goes wrong, my advice is simple – think repair first.”
She added: “Simple habits can also make a real difference, too. Spending a few minutes cleaning filters and carrying out routine maintenance checks, for example, can help keep appliances working well, reduce the risk of faults and potentially add years to their lifespan.”
Stefan Hay, CEO of AMDEA, commented: “Our findings show that concerns around cost and convenience are often driving replacement decisions, but repairs are frequently more straightforward and affordable than people expect.
“We’d encourage anyone experiencing an issue with a household appliance to check their warranty status and explore repair options before replacing it. A simple repair can often add years to an appliance’s lifespan, saving money and reducing unnecessary waste at the same time.”
