🚀 go-pugleaf

deja_bhoot2000@yahoo.com wrote:
> I purchased a side-by-side Sears (Kemore?) fridge in March, 1998,
> which has worked fine all this time (I think it cost about $1200 back
> then). There is no problem with the insides of the fridge itself.
> 
> As most modern fridges do, this also has a waterline hookup for cold
> water, and for ice box. Ice function is working fine. For the cold
> water, for the past 4-5 months, there was a short delay between
> pressing switch, and water coming through in the small spigot. This
> delay got from a few seconds to about 1 minute. But once the water
> started, it was working fine.
> 
> Now the water function is not working. The water connection is fine,
> as ice is being made at the same rate as before. It seems something
> simple, a mechanical, or electrical switch in the water component, is
> not functioning. I am afraid to pull out the control box mounted
> outside, as it is not clear if it is just push fit, or some plastic
> clips in a tab, or what, so it might break if not pulled properly. If
> I could see someone take it out once, I could do it (I have fixed many
> things myself in the past, including a microwave, toaster, electrical
> circuits around the home, etc.)
> 
> There is no other problem with the fridge (jn fact, not even any
> scratches), but I figure a nine year old fridge is probably no more
> than $300 worth, if that much. So, spending $100 to $200 on calling an
> appliance repairman seems silly. But I feel awfully guilty throwing
> away a perfectly functioning fridge.
> 
> What's average life expectancy of a fridge? What's a reasonable price
> for an appliance repairman in the SF Bay area to fix this? Any
> referrals would be much appreciated.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Bhoot Nath
> 

One thing to keep in mind is that independent appliance repair people 
are notoriously unethical and will charge you whatever it takes to make 
their weekly revenue work out right.  Of course Sears may not be that 
bad on ethics, but then they just charge a much higher price for the 
time and parts.

If there is a significant savings of energy, it makes sense to upgrade 
regardless of the need for repair or the life of the unit.  And there 
are people who would like to get their hands on a good used fridge for 
cheap, too.