Statewide Appliance Spares Blog

The environmental benefits of repairing home appliances

In today's age, we are quick to buy new appliances when something goes wrong. There are constant new releases of updated models with new features, tempting us to replace our old appliances. But this habit hurts the environment. If we choose to repair our appliances instead of tossing them out, we can lessen our carbon footprint and do our part in safeguarding the environment. In this blog post, we will explore the environmental benefits of repairing home appliances. Reducing e-waste Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing problem. When we throw away our old appliances, they end up in landfills. This can leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water. Electronic waste or e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. There are over 50 million tonnes generated each year! E-waste contains toxic chemicals and hazardous materials that can pollute the environment and harm your health. The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 reported that e-waste “increased by 21 per cent in the five years to 2019 and predicted that by 2030, it will be almost double the 2014 figure, fueled by higher consumption rates, shorter lifecycles and limited repair options.” Furthermore, E-waste is responsible for “70% of the toxic chemicals such as lead, cadmium and mercury found in landfill”. By choosing to repair your appliances instead of replacing them, you can reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and, in turn, reduce your carbon footprint. Conserving resources The production of new appliances requires a significant number of natural resources, including metals, plastics and rare earth elements. By repairing your appliances, you can extend their lifespan. In turn, you can reduce the need for new resources to be extracted from the earth. This can also help conserve natural resources. Saving energy The energy required to manufacture and transport new appliances is significant. By repairing your existing appliances, you can reduce the energy and resources needed to produce new ones. Additionally, many repairs can improve the efficiency of appliances, leading to lower energy consumption and utility bills. Supporting the local economy When we repair appliances, we often support local businesses and technicians. This can help boost the local economy and create jobs in the community. Encouraging sustainable practices By repairing your appliances, you set an example for others and encourage sustainable practices. This can help create a culture of repair and reuse, leading to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society. Helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions Apart from reducing waste and conserving natural resources, repairing your appliances also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The manufacture of appliances and their transportation to retailers contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases. According to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, the transport sector is responsible for around 18% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing to repair means you reduce the demand for new ones, which in turn reduces the emissions associated with their manufacture and transportation. Saving money Repairing your home appliances can save you money in the long run. Repairing appliances is often cheaper than replacing them, especially for minor faults. According to the CHOICE Repair or Replace report "repairing an appliance can cost as little as $60, while replacing it can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars." Tips for repairing home appliances Learn about the common problems that can occur with your appliances, and how to troubleshoot and fix them. You can find repair guides and tutorials online. Check out the Statewide blog or YouTube channel, or consult with a professional repair technician. Perform regular maintenance on your appliances, such as cleaning filters and checking for wear and tear on moving parts. This can help prevent major problems from developing in the first place. If a part of your appliance has worn out or is broken, don't automatically assume that you need to replace the entire appliance. Often, you can simply replace the faulty part and have your appliance working like new again. While it may be tempting to try and fix your appliances yourself, sometimes it's better to leave it to the professionals. They have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and repair problems quickly and effectively. Note: For safety purposes, there are some repairs that must be legally completed by a licensed technician. Investing in high-quality appliances from reputable brands can also help reduce the need for repairs and replacements in the long run. Repairing your home appliances is not only good for your wallet, but also good for the environment. By making small changes, you can create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious environment. So, the next time your appliance breaks down, consider repairing it instead of replacing it! Find all your spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares Statewide Appliance Spares is your go-to destination for all your home appliance spares. The biggest range of spare parts for all the top brands, ready for fast Australia wide shipping. Need help finding the right spare part for your home appliance? Our friendly team are on hand, ready to help! Call us on Free Call 1800 005 220. All the latest on the Statewide blog Visit our blog for to find our top DIY tips to keep your appliances running like new. You can also find guides to home appliance repairs such as fixing an oven door that won’t close properly. Check out your YouTube channel Subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up to date on all our latest videos. We share all the expert hints and tips to make appliance repairs a breeze! https://youtu.be/BnMAyKLwtSY
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Repair or replace your home appliances?

Your home appliances are your most used and hardworking items in your home. Appliances such as your fridge, oven and washing machine are often used daily. The general lifespan of an appliance can vary anywhere between 5-15 years. Like most things, they will go through normal wear and tear. It is also dependent on brand, quality and how well you maintain it. What happens if your appliances aren't functioning properly? Or completely stop working altogether? Do you repair your appliance or make the decision to replace? With the ever-changing advances in technology and faster product obsolescence, there has been a trend towards updating our appliances as soon as something goes wrong. This isn’t always the most eco-friendly or sustainable solution. Trends are changing. People are embracing environmentally friendly options and choosing to repair appliances. It just makes good sense! Good for the planet (and for your pocket too). Why repair your home appliances? It can save you money. Repairs can be a more economical than buying new appliances Increase the lifespan of your existing appliance for longer Environmentally friendly and sustainable option Reduces landfill and e-waste Easy for homeowners to undertake simple repairs It is easy to find parts. You can find replacement spares for your appliances at Statewide Appliance Spares. Waste - a global problem E-waste is anything with a plug, battery or cord that is at the end of its useful life. Globally we produce more than 50 million tonnes of e-waste a year. 70,000 tonnes of which is generated in Australia, with each Australian household. This generates around 73kg of e-wasteper year! Many of us do the right thing when disposing of old appliances. Ewaste Watch estimates that only 80% of e-waste is illegally dumped! E-Waste is often sent back to toxic junkyards in developing countries. Hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury end up in waste streams. This impacts the environment and our health. Handy tips to increase the lifespan of your appliance Regular maintenance and repairs will help to increase the lifespan of your appliance. DIY - Carry out your own basic repairs. This can be simpler and more cost effective than you think. Check out the articles in our Statewide Blog for some handy tips. Adopt good maintenance practices - Often these simple maintenance tips can prolong the life of your appliance and prevent major damage and potentially costly repairs. Refrigerator maintenance tips Clean the refrigerator condenser coils, wipe down your door gasket(check for cracks and damage) and adjust temperature controls to middle settings. If you have a fridge water filter, make sure it you regularly replace every 6 months Oven maintenance tips Clean your oven regularly with a non-caustic oven cleaner, check the seals for cracks and damage which can be easily fixed with replacement oven seals and replace your oven globes Cooktop maintenance tips Use a non-caustic, powerful cleaner with active ingredients that lift awaygrease and grime. Brush off spills from the igniter with a toothbrush and replace damaged cooktop knobs Rangehood maintenance tips Replace burnt out rangehood globes, remove and clean filters and clean vents with a degreaser. Dishwasher maintenance tips Regularly clean your filter to remove debris and odours (and replace your dishwasher filter if damaged), remove residue and build up on your dishwasher seal/gasket to prevent leaks and use a trusty toothbrush to unclog holes on dishwasher spray arms. Washing machine maintenance tips Don’t overload your washer, wipe down the drum, door and gasket, check the seals and inspect the hoses every month to ensure there are no bulges or cracks and the fittings are tight. Tackle easy fixes (no tricky DIY skills required!) - replace your broken fridge shelves, change your cooktop knobs, and finally replace that burnt out oven globe. Check your warranty - Many household appliances have long-term manufacturer’s warranties that cover repairs – worth checking out! Order your appliance spare parts online - Statewide Appliance Spares have the biggest range of appliance spare parts for all your home appliances. You can find replacement parts for most leading brands Speak to our team of experts - they are available to answer your questions and offer the right guidance and advice to make buying spares easier Lastly, if replacing your faulty/damaged home appliance is your only option… If the repair will cost you more than 50 percent of the price of replacing it you may want to consider upgrading to a new appliance. Contact your local council for advice and information or visit https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/waste-resource-recovery/television-and-computer-recycling-scheme/drop-off-points Repairing your home appliances is easy with Statewide Appliance Spares. We have Australia’s biggest range of appliance parts with fast, Australia wide delivery.
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