Electricity Price Increases

[BackRoad]

We completed building new in Northern PA 2 years ago.

The Code Inspector was OK and known by our builder. Since I was working alongside the builder, I got to know the Inspector also.

He did a final inspection to approve the CO. On his way out, he mentioned arc-fault breakers are required by code for the CO, but what I did after the fact was my business, and he hinted to pay attention to the breakers used on the dedicated circuits for the fridge and freezers.

After he left, the builder translated what he meant. Use of arc-faults on refrigerator and freezer circuits have been a common cause for loss of AC to the appliances.

 

[KennyG]

Our big Kitchenaid refrigerator was so expensive that it made sense to pay over $400 for a remanufactured motherboard (original replacement parts no longer available after 5 years) and it's still chugging along although the ice maker has completely failed after several fixable problems. In the future I will only buy base model refrigerators, not the fancy ones.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I can see that for many things, but not refrigerators. At least in PA, we can't set an old refrigerator at the curb for pickup, without it being evacuated of refrigerant and tagged by a licensed pro. So much nicer to just let the delivery guys cart the old one away, and at least around here, Lowes usually has some model that will fit available for next-day delivery.

Our old refrigerator was still working and I gifted it to a friend for a beer fridge. He will put a cold weather kit on it and keep it in his garage. I think we gave 1500 plus tax after rebate for one of the largest French door fridges Menards sells. My wife and I picked it up with straps and put it in the house. I have to admit, that wasn't much fun, but we managed.

 

[WinterDeere]

In the future I will only buy base model refrigerators, not the fancy ones.

Right now, our choice of models is limited by our existing cabinetry. But I've been debating the merit of stepping up to a refrigerator made by a commercial manufacturer like Sub Zero or Viking, due to the better repairability. I'm sure they still fail, my inlaws had all sorts of initial problems with one of their Sub Zero's, but they're built to be serviced and repaired, not throw away.

We always want an ice maker, but not a dispenser. I've never seen the point in wasting available space on dispensers, which seem to often break anyway. Other than the ice maker, I usually favor the simplest refrigerator I can buy.

BTW, the reason for the frequent failures is no mystery. The EPA passed new mandates several years ago, that reduce the amount of refrigerant manufacturers can use in refrigerators. This causes two problems:

1. Small problems in the system, over which a refrigerator having a higher refrigerant charge might continue to limp along, now cause a major malfunction. Things like compressor failure due to dry-cycling while the refrigerant is locked up elsewhere in the loop, is a more common problem.

2. Limited temperature range. Who on this earth hasn't had a spare refrigerator in their garage or basement? But with the minimal refrigerant charge they allow these days, running in a colder environment can cause all of the refrigerant to pool away from the compressor (it will always condense into coolest spot in the loop when not running), again causing dry cycling and compressor failure.

 

[ultrarunner]

We have a new build in 2020, and I bought new LG appliances. Refrigerator kept popping Siemens 20a CAFCI breaker. Since we live in a remote area of VT, with no authorized service center, they gave me a new one. That one did the same. Turns out, there is a new style compressor system that runs havoc on certain brands/types of breakers. Electrician I hired found and changed out. No more fridge issues. But I'm not confident with any new appliance, as they are built to a price point, and disposable. A previous Samsung could only be repaired by Samsung authorized repair center, as they don't share parts and info with others.

No right to repair?

 

[Oaktree]

I stopped buying appliances from our local Lowes because they only stock 1 or 2 models at the store. Menards stocks every model they sell. Lowes requires you to buy the appliance and have it delivered from about 40 miles away after a day or two depending on the day you purchase. When I pay for an appliance I want it put on my truck before I leave the parking lot.

When we were refrigerator shopping maybe 5 years ago, Lowes was the best option. Home Depot didn't stock large appliances, they all shipped from a warehouse, Lowes had the model we wanted in stock.
Menards not an option here. Interestingly, Consumer Reports rates them at or near the bottom for appliance sales.

I'm not confident with any new appliance, as they are built to a price point, and disposable. A previous Samsung could only be repaired by Samsung authorized repair center, as they don't share parts and info with others.

Yeah. A neighbor of mine used to own an appliance repair shop, and he says he retired just in time. Last 8-10 years he was in the business it got harder and harder to source parts and/or documentation. Not to mention so many appliances don't lend themselves to repair easily.

In the future I will only buy base model refrigerators, not the fancy ones.

I wouldn't go so far as the base model, but we go for the low trim ones ourselves. No need for icemaker (we have the recipe for what little we use), cold water (ours is cold enough right out of the faucet) or internet connectivity.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

No right to repair?

I guess not. Culligan water systems are the same, or at least used to be when ours needed an oring. After several calls, all told me Culligan has propriatory parts.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's real easy to lose several hundred dollars or more in food, every time you wake up one morning to find the refrigerator cooking rather than cooling your food

I keep the sensor for an indoor/outdoor thermometer in my freezer to moniter temps. So I haven't had one die but it was handy when the power went out as it alerted me when I needed to start the generator.

 

[ultrarunner]

I’ve got a top of the line LG that came with a rental home and the compressor died a few months in.

$1100 quote to repair parts and labor.

It was eligible for a free compressor but not labor with the sticking point 5 week wait for repair… can’t have a tenant without an owner supplied refrigerator that’s not working 4-6 weeks.

Soon, I won’t have the option to rent without stove or refrigerator as a new California law moves stoves and refrigerators into the realm of habitability for rentals.

Early in my property management career I found half my service calls appliance related and many of those were after hours with renters saying I have $500 in food going bad…

Best management decision was to stop furnishing…

 

[kenmbz]

Replaced washer/dryer when it failed, think renter trashed it with too much soap.
Dishwasher has needed multiple repairs.
But the inexpensive fridge keeps going so far.

The latest renter is quick to call on any minor issue, but it does make sure I keep maintenance up.

I don't have to pay electric or gas, heat is part of the monthly maintenance and has gone up quite a bit in the 8 years we've had the rental.

I don't make much money on the rental and it's value had stagnated, but at least someone is paying for most of it and not me.