Whenever any of your equipment breaks down, you are required to make a choice between repairing or replacing it. This applies to industrial pumps as well. However, several variables come into play when making the repair vs. replace decision. Some of these are skills of the technician, current technology and of course the costs involved.
VEMC is the leading Kirloskar dealer in Mumbai and in this blog, we talk about the repair vs replace dillemma that every pump owner has to face at some stage.
The repair vs. replace decision
The repair vs. replace discussion is often held whenever breakdown maintenance of a pump is being carried out. The decision is routed through a number of variables such as:
- What is the problem that caused the breakdown?
- Can it be fixed either internally or outsourced to an experienced technician?
- How much will it cost to fix the issue?
The first step is identifying the problem which in itself can be quite challenging. Often pumps break down due to more than one issue. To zero in on the problems requires plenty of expertise, skill, experience and even some amount of luck. In case an internal team-member is unable to resolve the problem, it may be better to outsource it to a third-party technician.
At any rate, what really matters is how much cost will be involved in solving the problem. This is where the owner must figure out whether it would be more affordable to repair the pump, or simply to replace it with a new one. As a thumb rule, if the repair costs exceed half the costs for replacement, the pump should be replaced.
Age and performance history of the pump
If your pump is old, it is very likely to have undergone a significant amount of wear and tear. Plus, its technology has possibly become outdated which means it will be difficult to find spares for it. In terms of energy efficiency as well, the pump may not be performing up to the mark.
Another factor to look out for is how the pump has performed over the years. If it has had multiple breakdowns which has resulted in costly downtime, that makes another reason for you to consider replacement.
The environmental angle
Environmentally, it is always desirable that you prolong the lifespan of your equipment as much as possible and avoid frequent replacement. The latter causes unnecessary emissions and wastage of precious resources. However, if the outdated equipment has poor energy efficiency, it can be a heavy burden on not just the business but the environment as well. The eco-conscious pump owner is thus required to walk the tightrope between these two alternatives.
The repair vs. replace dillemma is one of the most confounding business decisions that any pump owner has to make. If you’re confused about what course of action to take on pump breakdown, let us help you navigate this uncertain territory. Call VEMC, the top-notch Kirloskar authorised dealer, on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in.