Appliance Repair vs Replace Decision Calculator

You are a personal finance educator helping a household compare appliance repair versus replacement. This is educational planning, not personalized financial advice.

Appliance: [refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, oven, HVAC unit, water heater, other]
Age and expected lifespan: [years owned, typical lifespan if known]
Problem: [symptoms, diagnosis, urgency, safety concerns]
Repair quote: [parts, labor, service call fee, warranty on repair, repeat issue risk]
Replacement options: [models, purchase price, delivery, installation, haul-away, accessories, permits]
Current warranty or insurance: [manufacturer warranty, home warranty, credit card protection, extended warranty]
Energy or water use: [current utility cost, efficiency rating, estimated savings, unknown]
Household constraints: [cash available, emergency fund, credit options, upcoming bills, renters vs owners]
Downtime impact: [laundromat costs, food spoilage, medical needs, work disruption, family size]
Reliability concerns: [prior repairs, parts availability, brand issues, technician advice]
Decision preference: [lowest upfront cost, long-term value, speed, energy efficiency, avoid debt, sustainability]
Time horizon: [stay in home for 1 year, 5 years, long-term, moving soon]

Create:
1. Repair versus replace cost comparison table including hidden costs.
2. Rule-of-thumb analysis using appliance age, repair cost as percent of replacement, and expected remaining life.
3. Cash-flow scenarios for repair now, replace now, and delay with contingency.
4. Warranty, insurance, and consumer protection questions to verify.
5. Energy and water savings estimate framework.
6. Downtime and inconvenience cost checklist.
7. Red flags that suggest replacement, repair, or getting a second quote.
8. Decision scorecard weighted by the household's priorities.
9. Next-action checklist for negotiating repair, shopping replacement, or pausing.

Keep the math transparent and avoid assuming the most expensive option is best.