Most refrigerators are designed to last 10 to 20 years. If you have any of the other problems on this list and your refrigerator is more than ten years old, you'll likely save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could invest money in repairing a refrigerator that is already about to run out. Built-in refrigerators are almost always worth repairing. Not only are they less expensive to repair, but they tend to have a longer lifespan anyway.
Yes, in many cases it's worth it, since a refrigerator lasts 10 to 15 years on average. Often, the repair costs less than the replacement of the appliance. If the price of repairing a refrigerator is more than half the cost of buying a new one, it may be time for the homeowner to start looking for a new refrigerator. 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.
If the compressor needs to be replaced or the refrigerator has low refrigerant, labor costs can cause the price of repairs to exceed what would be affordable for an older appliance. In addition, an experienced refrigerator repair technician should be the one to repair mechanical problems related to the motor or coils. The general rule of thumb when deciding whether to repair or replace a refrigerator is that if the cost of repairs is more than half the cost of buying a new refrigerator, it may be best for the homeowner to replace it. One way to save money on appliance repair costs is to hire the cheapest repair technician available, but there are other ways to save without sacrificing quality.
If the owner notices a leak at the bottom of the appliance or if it makes more noise than usual, the drip tray may need to be repaired or replaced. However, if you're still having problems after defrosting it, you could call a technician who specializes in repairing appliances or consider buying a new refrigerator. Top-freezer refrigerators should be serviced within three years, considered repair within three to six years, and replaced if they are older than seven years. For this type of problem, a repair technician may need to inspect the refrigerator in person to provide a repair estimate.
After searching for “refrigerator repair near me”, here are some questions homeowners can ask the best appliance repair services before hiring. However, an experienced refrigerator or appliance repair professional should handle the most advanced repairs for several important reasons. Refrigerator repair costs can be high and the additional fees associated with repairs can add up quickly. If the average cost of repairing a refrigerator fits an owner's budget, it will be considerably cheaper to repair the part that is broken than to buy a new refrigerator. If you've decided to opt for repair, you'll need to decide if you want to do the repair yourself or hire a professional.
If you're still not sure if you should replace or repair your refrigerator, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the longer you have it, the higher the potential cost of the repair. Some refrigerator repairs may be covered by the manufacturer's warranty, depending on how old the refrigerator is and the type of repair needed. In that survey, 27 percent of CR members who discarded their refrigerator instead of repairing it cited expensive repair costs as the reason for doing so.
