Repair vs Replace: When Is an Appliance Worth Fixing?
Before you pay for a repair, it helps to know whether the appliance is worth saving. Two simple rules — the 50% rule and typical lifespans — make the call clear.
The 50% Rule
If a repair costs more than 50% of the price of a new comparable appliance, AND the unit is more than halfway through its expected life, replace it. A $400 repair on a 12-year-old fridge that costs $900 new is not worth it; the same repair on a 3-year-old unit usually is.
Typical Appliance Lifespans
Refrigerators: 10-13 years. Washers and dryers: 10-13 years. Dishwashers: 9-12 years. Gas ranges: 15 years; electric ranges: 13 years. Microwaves: 9 years. Water heaters (tank): 8-12 years; tankless: 20+ years. Garbage disposals: 8-12 years. Use these to judge where your unit is in its life.
Repairs Almost Always Worth It
Cheap, common-failure parts are worth fixing at almost any age: a washer drain pump, a dryer thermal fuse or heating element, an oven igniter or temperature sensor, a fridge water filter or fan motor, a dishwasher filter or drain pump. These are inexpensive parts on otherwise-fine machines.
When to Just Replace
Compressor failure in a fridge, a cracked washer tub or failed transmission, a control board on an old unit, or any major repair on an appliance past its lifespan. Also consider that newer appliances are more energy- and water-efficient, which adds up over years.
FAQ
Often not, if the repair is major. Use the 50% rule: if the fix costs more than half the price of a new one and the appliance is past mid-life, replace it. Cheap common-part repairs are still worth doing.
Roughly: fridges and washers/dryers 10-13 years, dishwashers 9-12, ranges 13-15, microwaves 9, tank water heaters 8-12, disposals 8-12.
Always unplug an appliance and shut off its water supply before servicing. This guide is informational and not a substitute for a qualified technician.