Home Q&A: Should I repair or replace my washing machine?

While it presents an opportunity to increase energy efficiency, replacing any domestic appliance needs careful consideration

Often, odd noises together with an imperfectly washed load will be the first indications of trouble with your washing machine. Picture: iStock

We're going to take a deep, unsettling dive into appliance replacement in the coming weeks, starting with the old kilowatt guzzlers routinely chewing on your clothes back the in the utility room. 

Now, the replacement of any domestic machine, though a great opportunity to increase energy efficiency, is not something to take lightly, as we are inevitably throwing at least some of the parts of the appliance back into the waste stream, and let’s face it, appliances are a pretty hair-raising expense.