Repair or Replace an Appliance? A Practical Way to Decide

Repair or replace: the quick answer

• Find out exactly what failed before deciding anything. A diagnosis turns a guess into a real choice.
• Compare the appliance’s age with its typical lifespan.
• Use the 50 percent rule as a starting point: if the repair costs more than half of a comparable new appliance and the unit is past the middle of its life, replacement deserves a serious look.
• Common wear parts such as pumps, belts, fans, relays and heating elements are usually worth replacing at almost any age.
• Sealed system failures, transmissions and cracked tubs on older appliances are the usual tipping points toward replacement.

The 50 percent rule, and its limits

The rule is simple. If a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance, and the appliance is past the middle of its expected life, replacement is usually the better use of money. If either of those is not true, repair usually wins.

It is a rule of thumb, not a law. A high-end refrigerator, a pro-style range or a matched laundry pair can cost so much to replace that repair makes sense well past the halfway mark. On the other hand, a basic appliance near the end of its life with a second major problem coming may not be worth even a moderate repair.

The most important input is the diagnosis. Until you know which part failed, any decision is a guess.

Typical lifespans

• Refrigerator: about 10 to 15 years
• Freezer: about 10 to 20 years
• Washer: about 10 to 13 years
• Dryer: about 10 to 13 years
• Dishwasher: about 9 to 12 years
• Range or oven: about 13 to 15 years
• Over-the-range microwave: about 7 to 10 years

These ranges line up with estimates published by the National Association of Home Builders, which put refrigerators and dryers around 13 years, ranges around 15, washers around 10 and dishwashers around 9. Use, maintenance, installation and climate all move the numbers. A well-kept appliance can go well past them.

Usually worth fixing, and closer calls

Refrigerators and freezers. Usually worth fixing: fans, start relays, defrost heaters and thermostats, sensors, water valves and ice makers. Closer call: a failed compressor or a refrigerant leak on a unit past about 10 years old.

Washers. Usually worth fixing: drain pumps, lid locks and switches, belts, couplers and suspension parts. Closer call: a failed transmission or worn tub bearings on an older machine.

Dryers. Usually worth fixing: heating elements, thermal fuses, thermostats, igniters, belts, rollers and idler pulleys. Dryers are simple machines, and most repairs make sense. Closer call: a worn drum and a failed motor and control at the same time.

Dishwashers. Usually worth fixing: drain pumps, inlet valves, door latches, seals and heating elements. Closer call: a rusted tub, broken racks and a failed control board together.

Ranges and ovens. Usually worth fixing: bake and broil elements, igniters, temperature sensors, surface elements and switches. Closer call: a cracked glass cooktop or a discontinued control board on an older range.

Other things to weigh

• Parts availability. For older or less common models, ask whether the part is still made. A discontinued part can decide the question for you.
• Warranty. Check the manufacturer’s warranty and any extended plan first. Some brands cover certain parts, like compressors or washer motors, for much longer than the standard warranty.
• Recalls. Look up the model and serial number at cpsc.gov. A recall remedy is handled by the manufacturer.
• Energy use. Refrigerators and freezers run around the clock, so a very old unit can cost noticeably more to run than a newer one.
• Installation. Replacing a built-in dishwasher, an over-the-range microwave or a gas appliance adds installation and haul-away on top of the purchase.
• Timing. A repair is often faster than ordering, delivering and installing a new appliance, which matters when the refrigerator is full of food.

Questions to ask the technician

• What exactly failed, and why did it fail?
• What does the repair involve, start to finish?
• Is anything else close to failing?
• Are parts still available for this model?
• Would you repair this one if it were yours?

A good technician should answer all five plainly, including telling you when a repair does not make sense. Also ask about pricing and any warranty on the work before the repair starts.