Is Repairing Your Refrigerator Worth It?

Built-in refrigerators are almost always worth repairing. Not only are they less expensive to fix, but they tend to have a longer lifespan anyway. Adjoining refrigerators should be serviced within a five-year period and should be replaced after that. If you're not sure what the exact problem with your refrigerator is and would like to find out before committing to hiring a professional, call the manufacturer's customer service.

Repairing your new refrigerator may not only be less expensive for you, but also better for the environment. The most serious (and costly) issues include compressor malfunctions (3 percent), refrigerators not cooling (6 percent), and freezers not cooling (4 percent). According to previous studies, refrigerators are fairly easy to repair: 62 percent of repairs are done correctly on the first attempt and an additional 25 percent do so after two or more attempts. This will consist of connecting your refrigerator to your home WiFi so that customer service can access it, or transmitting a series of diagnostic codes over the phone that customer service can translate into data about the problem. A broken evaporator fan may make you think that your refrigerator is breaking down, but it's often a worthwhile repair to your refrigerator.

In that survey, 27 percent of CR members who discarded their refrigerator instead of repairing it cited expensive repair costs as the reason for doing so. Once you've got the answer, keep reading for tips to help you repair your refrigerator or choose a new one. Easily responsible for the vast majority of refrigerator repair orders, this small and practical appliance is prone to a variety of problems. As you can see when using the tool, it often makes economic sense to repair a refrigerator, even after 10 years of ownership. When deciding whether or not to repair your refrigerator, it's important to consider the age of the appliance, its original cost, and any estimates you have for a repair. If you're looking for an economical solution, repairing your refrigerator may be the best option.

However, if you're looking for a long-term solution, replacing your refrigerator may be more cost-effective in the long run.

Luke Lamberton
Luke Lamberton

Professional food aficionado. Avid communicator. Passionate coffee fan. Hardcore zombie advocate. Proud music enthusiast. Certified beer scholar.