A sweating, hissing, leaking fridge is never a good sign! But how do you know if your fridge is just on the fritz, or if you need to shell out for a new one? We’ve got a few tips and hints about fridge repairs and replacements to help you make the right choice!
Points to consider
Deciding on whether to repair a faulty fridge or to fork out the money for a new one can often feel like a really expensive guess. The general rule of thumb is that you should replace your fridge if the cost of the repair is more than half the cost of buying a new one. Sometimes though, you need to consider a few other factors when making a decision. You don’t want to throw good money down the drain.
Age of the fridge
Fridges these days typically have a 10 to 20 year lifespan. The potential repair costs increase with age. If your fridge is less than 8 years old, then you may want to consider a repair job. Over 15 years? Then you’re probably better off investing in something new; if this current problem isn’t fatal, the next one that comes along will be. But there’s more than just age to consider.
Type of fridge
Difficulties with repair can depend on the type of fridge you have. Built-in fridges are usually less expensive to repair, so definitely consider doing that first. Side by side fridges typically need replacing if they are over 5 years old and start to show problems. Bottom freezers should be repaired within 7 years and then replaced after that, while top freezers need replacing if they’re more than 7 years old.
Energy efficiency
Repairs aren’t the only way your fridge can leak money. It could also be worth replacing your fridge if it’s sending your electricity bill sky high. A 10-year-old fridge uses twice the energy of a newer, energy star rated fridge. Upgrading to a newer model, with greater energy efficiency , could definitely save you money in the long run.
Overall assessment
You’ll want to make an overall assessment of your fridge. The amount of damage to your fridge has to be considered. If you have multiple faulty parts or if your fridge is really old, then it’s time to get a new one. If you still have a warranty or an extended service plan, you should try to make a claim before you give your fridge the heave-ho.
If you still can’t decide, contact us here at Albion Appliances. We can give you an estimate for how much the repair job will cost or offer you advice alternatives. You’ll then be able to make an educated decision about whether the cost of the repair job justifies keeping your fridge, or if you should welcome a brand spanking new one into your life.
