Appliance Repair near you

There is no universal rule for when an appliance is worth fixing, and anyone who offers one without looking at the machine is guessing. The decision comes down to what failed, what the repair involves compared with a comparable new model, the overall condition of the unit and whether parts are still available.

Gas ranges, dryers and other gas appliances are regulated because a loose fitting or a badly adjusted burner can leak gas or produce carbon monoxide, so any work on the gas side of an appliance belongs with a qualified gas technician, never a do-it-yourself attempt. In Quebec, the RBQ requires contractors doing gas work to hold the appropriate licence, and their employees must obtain a certificate of competence from Emploi-Québec. In Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) states that only registered fuels contractors are legally authorized to do fuels-related work, and its registry lets you look a company up. Other provinces have their own gas safety authorities.

If you smell gas, don't touch switches or appliances; leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Natural Resources Canada advises smoke and carbon monoxide alarms wherever combustion appliances are present, and expert advice before installing a powerful range hood, since the air it removes has to be replaced.

Health Canada warns that leftover lint in the screen and exhaust piping of clothes dryers can ignite at high temperatures and cause fires. Lint also slows drying, so a dryer that takes longer and longer to dry a load is often telling you the vent is restricted, not that the machine is failing.

When replacing is the better option, the EnerGuide label helps you compare models. Natural Resources Canada requires it on new refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and electric ranges, cooktops and ovens. It shows the model's annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours and where that figure sits on a scale of similar models sold in Canada. ENERGY STAR certified models carry the symbol at the bottom of the label, and NRCan describes them as among the top 15 to 30 percent of their class for energy performance.

Size and fit matter as much as efficiency: measure the opening, door swing and delivery path before you buy, and for gas models book a qualified gas technician for the connection. Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerant, so ask your municipality or retailer how to dispose of the old unit properly.

Before paying for a repair, check whether the appliance has been recalled. The Government of Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts website, recalls-rappels.canada.ca, lists recalls for consumer products sold in Canada, including those issued through Health Canada; search it with the brand and model number, and subscribe to email alerts to hear about new ones. If your model is listed, follow the notice's instructions, which may include stopping use and contacting the manufacturer.

Also read the manufacturer's warranty and any extended plan, which often specify who may do the work.