A fridge, better known as a refrigerator, is one of the most essential appliances in any household. From keeping your groceries fresh to helping you live an organized and less stressful life – there’s lots to love about our fridges.
But when they break, all hell breaks lose.
So, should you fix or replace your fridge once it’s on the fritz?
Today we’ll be weighing in to provide some expert insight on the matter to help you decide what option will suit you best. Let’s dive right in!
What is the average life expectancy of a refrigerator?
Before we tell you outright that any option is better than the other, let’s talk about fridges and how long they last in the first place.
While most fridges, old and new, are designed to last for a very long time – there’s a certain point after which repairs will become too expensive, or entirely unreasonable compared to buying a new unit.
Typically, if your fridge is over 20 years old, a local appliance repair company may have some trouble finding the necessary parts. The parts they need may no longer be in production, or may cost and arm and a leg to obtain through a distributor that still has a few collecting dust on their shelves.
We recommend consulting the company or technician to check and see if they’re able to get parts for your model.
Pro Tip: Have the model number of your fridge ready when requesting any repairs or information.
Can a fridge last 30 years?
It’s not uncommon for our customers to wonder if they can really squeeze every drop of usability from the fridge they’ve got. And when it comes to the fabled 30 year mark – the short answer is “yes, if you maintain it right and service it as soon as problems come up.”
However, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the cost of maintenance and see how it stacks up compared to buying a new unit.
How much does it cost to repair a fridge or freezer?
When it comes to pricing, typically most “average” repairs will set you back $200-350 depending on the issue and what parts need to be replaced. Usually, things to do with the defrost system, fans, sensors, and minor electronic components are relatively inexpensive and are worthwhile repairs.
Now if we look at a bigger issue like an icemaker replacement that can set you back $500-700 in parts a lone, or a mainboard replacement in a similar ballpark – the answer depends entirely on your fridge.
If you’ve got a cheaper $700-1,000 fridge, a larger repair may just keep it running for a few more decades. However, additional maintenance can pop up at any time, which could offset the cost greatly.
On the other hand, mid-range and expensive units are generally worthwhile repairing. For example, a $1,300 sealed system repair on a $2,800 Samsung Fridge is definitely worthwhile.
Typically, we recommend going for any repairs that are under 60% of the price of your fridge, if there’s no other trouble on the horizon.
Should I repair or replace my fridge?
So now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s get back to the question at hand – should you repair or replace the refrigerator you’ve got?
As we mentioned earlier, the general rule of thumb is that repairs shouldn’t exceed 60% of the money you’ve paid for your unit.
However, you’ll have to trust your technician and rely on them to discover any other ongoing problems, should there be immediate indicators thereof at the time of repair.
If your fridge is newer than 20 years, and costs over $1,500 – repair will usually be the route to pick.
The caveats of replacing a fridge
If your fridge can’t be fixed, or it just doesn’t make any financial sense, there’s a few things you’ll need to keep in mind before you run down to the store and choose a new model.
- The dimensions of your old fridge & the cabinets around it
- The water-connection setup you’ve got vs what the fridge needs
- Inventory & delivery/installation schedules
It’s not uncommon for some of our customers to explore getting a new fridge, only to find out that it won’t fit, or they’ve got the wrong plumbing setup, or even having to wait for it for a few months altogether. So we strongly advise that you explore your options before deciding not to repair.
It’s almost always worthwhile to repair your fridge. Most repairs are fairly minor, or completely cost effective.
Dan K. – Starline Senior Appliance Repair Technician
Need help with fridge repair?
If you’re looking for professional help with diagnosing and repairing your fridge – check out our Fridge Repair In North Vancouver services to learn more about what we do.
Call us today or book a quick appointment online, and our technicians will come out to diagnose your fridge, get any parts you might need, and fix it quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.