Is it time to replace your appliances?

Sure, your huge TV is a little dated and your fridge light conks out occasionally, but they still work well. However, here are six ways to know it just might be time to change them.

How exactly do we know when we should replace our appliances? Do we wait for the day one breaks down and then scramble to replace it, or do we watch for warning signs? Here are six ways you can tell that it’s time to buy new home appliances.

If your appliance is older than 10 years, then you might be due for a new one.

• While fridges last between 11 and 13 years, freezers can go a few years longer.
• Also in the kitchen, your dishwasher generally taps out at about 10 years while your stove can go up to about 13 years.
• In your laundry room, dryers tend to have long life expectancies—think 15 years.

Space might dictate that you need to switch up your appliances to fit in with your new plan—and chances are you might get more space and energy-efficient units this way.

This is go time. If you can, do a quick cost comparison about what it will take to fix your appliance versus going out and spending money on a new one.

• Doing this comparison will likely save you some money.

Newer models of appliances are generally being made more and more energy efficiently.

• So if you’ve got an old fridge in the basement sucking up space and energy, you might be better off selling it and spending the money on a smaller, newer and more energy-efficient unit. Look for an ENERGY STAR® label on the appliance as a sign of its energy efficiency.

You’ve scoured the Internet for ideas on how to fix your appliance. Did it work?

• If it didn’t and a professional can’t salvage it for a decent price, then it’s time to go shopping.

Strange noises? Weird spills? Things starting to look off with your appliance?

• If any of this is happening and you’ve got an older model on your hand, then you might want to start looking around at new appliance models.