When an appliance breaks, the first question is whether to fix it. There’s no formula that settles it every time, but there’s a rule of thumb that gets most decisions right, and a handful of signs that tip a close call one way or the other.
The rule of thumb
If a repair costs more than about half of what a comparable new appliance would cost, or the appliance is already past its typical lifespan, replacing it usually makes more financial sense. An appliance near the end of its life that also needs an expensive repair is the clearest case of all.
Typical lifespans
These are rough ranges, and real lifespans depend on how hard a machine works and how well it has been looked after:
- Refrigerators: often 10 to 13 years
- Washing machines: often 10 to 13 years
- Dishwashers: shorter, often closer to 9 or 10 years
A seven year old refrigerator with a failed fan is a good repair candidate. A fourteen year old one with a failed compressor usually isn’t.
Signs a repair is probably not worth it
The same thing keeps failing. A second repair to the same part inside a year or two is often a sign of a deeper problem.
Parts are hard to get. Older models can need parts that are discontinued or slow to arrive, which stretches a repair into weeks without the appliance.
It costs more to run than it should. An old refrigerator that runs constantly, or a washer that leaves clothes soaking wet, may be costing more in electricity and time than a newer model would.
It no longer fits how you live. A dryer that takes two cycles, a dishwasher nobody trusts with a full load, or a fridge that’s too small for the household isn’t really broken, but replacing it can still be the right call.
Signs a repair is worth it
It’s still well inside its lifespan. A fault in a young appliance is usually a single part rather than a machine wearing out.
The fix is simple. Door seals, filters, drain pumps, igniters and control knobs are often inexpensive repairs that buy years.
It’s a model you like. Built-in or panel-matched appliances can be expensive to replace well, which tilts the sums toward repairing.
If you decide to replace it
Plan the old one’s exit alongside the new one’s arrival. Some retailers will take the old appliance when they deliver, often for a fee and only if it’s already out of its spot and ready to go. If the timing doesn’t line up, or the old appliance is in a basement, an upstairs laundry room or the garage, a separate pickup is often simpler: your Loaders carry it out from wherever it sits.
If you are replacing more than one appliance, getting rid of them together costs less than separate pickups. The pickup calculator shows the starting total for your list.
