In today’s economy, more and more people have turned to purchasing used appliance parts or reconditioned parts for their broken appliances as a matter of financial concern.  However, many do not realize the added benefit in purchasing replacement parts that are used or reconditioned.  New parts are expensive and are often times made of inferior materials, while the original parts are made from higher quality and materials that are more durable. For just about every single type of household appliance today and every brand, there are quality used appliance parts available.  Washers and dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, ranges, ovens, microwaves and dishwashers are just some of the household appliances that can be repaired with reconditioned or used parts.

When you are faced with replacing an expensive home appliance such as a refrigerator or a washing machine because of a broken motor, many times it is much more cost effective to repair it with quality reconditioned appliance parts than it is to replace it with a new model. Many popular used parts can be purchased for less than $100.00 depending on brand and the type of part ordered. Below is a breakdown of the types and brands of used appliance parts available to keep you from having to purchase a new appliance.

Appliances That Can Be Repaired With Used Appliance Parts

Washing Machines:  Washing machines are expensive and today’s models don’t necessarily clean clothes better or more efficiently than the model you currently have in your home.  Older washing machines were constructed with more metal and tough materials while todays are often lighter-weight and more breakable.  If a repair person tells you that your direct drive transmission, motor, clutch or agitator has given out, be sure to ask if he or she has a reputable source for used appliance parts.  Common parts purchased for repair include suspensions, water pumps, gaskets, seals, agitators, belts, hoses, and motors.  These all cost substantially less than a new washing machine, even with the cost of installation.

Clothes Dryers:  Clothes dryers reduce wrinkles, keep clothes and linens from mildewing, and keep us from hanging laundry out to dry to the dismay of our neighbors; they are available in both gas and electric models and each has their own requirements for replacement parts.   Often, the parts needed to repair a clothes dryer are significantly more reasonably priced than replacing the dryer with a new model.  Common reconditioned parts include the dryer element, dryer motor, thermostat, control panels, cycle switch, buzzer, lint filter, belts, and pulleys and even microcomputers.  Even if your clothes dryer is functioning properly, a new lint filter can increase the efficiency of its drying power.

Refrigerators:  We depend on our refrigerators to keep beverages cool on a summers day and keep our foods at the proper and safe temperature.  Refrigerators, like other household appliances, do have an estimated life span, however this can be significantly altered by updating parts of the refrigerator, as needed with high quality used appliance parts.  Common parts that are needed to keep your refrigerator running properly include air baffles, water filter housing, control panels, temperature control, thermostat, and evaporator fan motors.  Refrigerators take a beating in all homes, and from time to time shelves, knobs, handles and crispers get chipped or broken.  This can cause food and bacteria to become trapped and put the health of your family at risk.  It is easy to switch out shelves and drawers and they are available from reputable used appliance parts dealers.

Ranges, Ovens and Cook Tops:  One of the most expensive appliances in the kitchen is often what we cook on whether it be a standalone cook top, range with oven, or set of wall ovens.  Indicator lights, heating elements, thermostats, baking and broiling elements, flanges, fans, ducts and burners are all common items that from time to time need to be replaced. Something as simple as changing out the knobs on your stove or range can make all the difference in the look and function of your kitchen.

Dishwashers:   Of course, we can always go back to the days where we had to hand wash our plates, glasses, silverware and pots and pans, but who wants to do that?  Used appliance parts to fix your broken dishwasher are available to make it virtually new again.  Vent housings, water valves, tub heaters, pumps, sensors, spray arms, drain pumps and other essential elements are replaceable with reconditioned parts.  Of course, the dishwasher takes a considerable amount of wear and tear and items like knobs, latches, handles, and silverware baskets are easily replaced and cheap.

Freezers:   Many people today buy food in bulk and keep a freezer in the basement or garage to store the surplus.  Freezers can fail, just like other household appliances and are easily fixed with replacement parts that are reasonably priced.   Whether your defrost heater, evaporator fan motor, pressure thermostat, or one of the shelves or knobs needs replacing, parts are available.

Air Conditioners:  Whole house and individual room air conditioning units can be expensive to replace.  Often times small replacement parts do the trick and can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.  Temperature controls, AC capacitors, fan motors and blades, centrifugal fans, power cords, switches, frames and knobs are all available as used appliance parts.

Using used appliance parts the next time one of your home appliances stops functioning can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  Today, a vast number of appliances can be successfully repaired over the spectrum of today, and yesterday’s brands.  Higher end appliance models including Bosch, Jenn-Air, Kitchen Aid, Thermador, Dacor and Electrolux can be efficiently and cost-effectively repaired with used or reconditioned parts.  Mid-priced appliance brands, and the lower end brands alike including GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Samsung, Emerson, Sanyo, Sharp, Sunbeam, and Westinghouse have parts available to fix most of the problems you will face.  Used parts are typically less than half the cost of new parts and are often constructed with higher quality materials.  The next time one of your home appliances decides to quit working, instead of running out to replace it, try used appliance parts to bring it back to life.