Six signs that it may be time to replace your refrigerator: the food isn't as cold as it should be, the fridge is buzzing, you've already spent a fortune fixing it, there's a lot of frost in the freezer, the fridge and freezer doors don't close completely, the back of the fridge feels warmer than usual. A refrigerator can last 10 to 20 years. The older your unit, the more it may cost to repair it. Over time, the cost of repairs will begin to outweigh the cost of a replacement.
The average life expectancy of a mid-range refrigerator is about nine years. Refrigerators are becoming more energy efficient over time and MEPS (minimum energy performance standards) have become stricter, so the operation of an old refrigerator costs much more than that of a new one. Old or faulty seals will also increase operating costs. Because refrigerators and freezers must be plugged in and running all the time, they are the appliances that consume the most energy in the kitchen and account for about eight percent of the energy consumption of an average household.
If your two-door refrigerator is more than five years old and needs constant repairs, it's time to consider buying a new one. But if you realize that every time you buy a frozen main course you have to pierce piles of ice, your appliance is probably outdated and inefficient. The style of refrigerator you have can also play an important role in detecting signs that it's time to replace it.
