In general, homeowners must follow the “fifty percent” rule, which simply means that if their appliance lasts more than 50% of its lifespan or the repair of the appliance is going to cost more than 50% of what it would cost to replace it, then replacing the appliance is often the most cost-effective. While it's common to feel the heat emanating from the coils at the back of a refrigerator, it's not normal to feel excessive heat. Calling a professional to inspect the coils will let the homeowner know if the coils need to be replaced or if it's a better investment to buy a new refrigerator. However, as a general rule, if you have several faulty parts or if your refrigerator is more than ten years old, it's probably time to replace it.
Consumer Reports recommends replacing your refrigerator if the cost of repairing it is more than half the price of buying a new one. It's not logical to think that a refrigerator designed to keep food and drinks cold can overheat. In that survey, 27 percent of CR members who discarded their refrigerator instead of repairing it cited high repair costs as the reason for doing so. But if your refrigerator really isn't worth repairing and you decide to replace it, here are tips on how to change it, as well as some of the best-performing models from our tests.
In addition, an experienced refrigerator repair technician should be the one to repair mechanical problems related to the motor or coils. Once you notice the signs that your refrigerator is breaking down, there are numerous factors to consider when deciding to repair or replace the unit. The following frequently asked questions about refrigerator repair costs help guide homeowners in making decisions. With advances in appliance technology, new refrigerators save more energy than older models.
Feeling an excessive amount of heat coming out of your refrigerator is a clear sign that something is wrong with your refrigerator or with your refrigeration thermometer. Rates can vary by region, so homeowners will want to look for “refrigerator repair near me” to get an idea of pricing in their area. Use the sliders to enter the age of your refrigerator, the original cost, and any budget you have for a repair. If you're not sure what the exact problem with your refrigerator is and you want to find out before committing to hiring a professional, call the manufacturer's customer service.
Bottom freezer refrigerators should be serviced within seven years and consider replacing them after that. Homeowners will want to consider the price of labor and materials when deciding if the refrigerator is worth repairing in the long term. If a strong smell of chemicals comes out of the refrigerator, the food is not kept cold and the engine is running constantly, there may be a coolant leak. Homeowners will want to carefully consider the price of labor and materials before deciding to repair their refrigerator, especially if they have an older model appliance.
