Should I repair it or replace (更换) it when a much-used home appliance (家用电器) suddenly stops working? It is hard to decide.
Almost every family has faced this difficult question. There are so many things to consider, from the cost to the influence on the environment. However, you may not have much time to make a decision just imagine living without a fridge in the summer.
According to a recent survey, more than 94 percent of the 12500 participants (参与者) chose to repair a broken appliance. Only 6 percent chose to replace the appliance. Did they make a wise decision?
I think it is helpful for you to make a decision if you can work out the current (当前的) value of your appliance. When you buy a new home appliance, write down its cost and the number of years you expect it to last. Divide the cost by the number of years and you will know how much value the appliance loses each year. When the appliance breaks down, you can quickly work out its current value. If a repair costs more than the appliance's current value, you should buy a new one to replace the appliance. Otherwise (否则), you can consider repairing it.
According to this rule, if a washing machine breaks down when it is eight years old, you should replace it. For fridges, that number is nine. And for vacuum cleaners, it is seven. What do you think of this rule? How do you decide whether to repair a broken appliance or to replace it? Have you ever felt sorry about your decision?
