How long household appliances typically last
Start with age. The National Association of Home Builders' study of home component life expectancy gives these averages:
| Appliance | Average life (years) |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator, standard | 13 |
| Refrigerator, compact | 9 |
| Freezer | 11 |
| Washer | 10 |
| Dryer, electric | 13 |
| Dishwasher | 9 |
| Range, electric | 13 |
| Microwave | 9 |
| Garbage disposal | 12 |
The 50/50 rule of thumb
A common rule of thumb: if the appliance is past half its expected life and the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new one, replacing usually makes more sense.
Some examples of how that plays out:
- A 4-year-old dishwasher with a failed drain pump: early in its life, moderate repair. Repair.
- An 11-year-old refrigerator that needs a compressor: most of its expected life used up, and one of the biggest repairs a fridge can need. Usually replace.
- An 11-year-old refrigerator that needs an evaporator fan motor: same age, small repair. Usually repair.
- A 9-year-old countertop microwave that needs a magnetron: at its expected life, and the repair costs close to a new unit. Replace.
The rule is a starting point. Condition matters too: a well-kept 12-year-old washer can be a better bet than a neglected 6-year-old one.
Repairs that are usually worth it, by appliance
For each appliance, some failures are routine repairs at almost any age, and a few are the ones that usually end the conversation on an older unit.
| Appliance and routine repairs | Repairs that often tip toward replacing on an older unit |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator: fan motors, start relays, defrost parts, door gaskets, ice makers | Sealed-system work (compressor, refrigerant leak), a cracked inner liner, a control board on a fridge near 13 years |
| Washer: drain pump, lid switch or door lock, belt, coupler, suspension | Front-load tub bearings and seal, a motor plus control board together |
| Electric dryer: thermal fuse, heating element, thermostats, belt, rollers, idler pulley | Motor and control board together, a rusted-through drum |
| Dishwasher: drain pump, inlet valve, door gasket, float switch, heating element | A cracked tub, a wash motor or control board on a unit near 9 years |
| Electric range or oven: bake and broil elements, temperature sensor, burner switches, coil burners | A glass cooktop plus a control board, a rusted oven cavity |
| Microwave: door switches, turntable motor, light, vent fan on over-the-range units | Magnetron or control board on a countertop model |
| Garbage disposal: jams, tripped reset, loose connections | A leak from the bottom of the housing, which usually means corrosion |
Costs of replacing that aren't on the price tag
The sticker price of a new appliance is rarely the whole cost. Count these before comparing it to a repair:
- Delivery, installation and haul-away. Over-the-range microwaves, built-in refrigerators, wall ovens and dishwashers need real installation work. Saul's Appliance Repair doesn't install new appliances, so that would be the retailer or an installer.
- Fit. A new appliance has to fit the space. In older homes, kitchen and laundry openings were built around older appliance sizes; our Bayshore Gardens page goes into this. Measure before you shop.
- Parts that don't come in the box. Many electric dryers and ranges are sold without a power cord, and refrigerators with ice makers need a water line connection.
- Matching. A new range that doesn't match the rest of the kitchen, or a built-in panel that has to be refitted, may matter to you.
- Waiting. Popular models and sizes can take time to arrive, and the old appliance is out of service until then.
Does energy efficiency change the answer?
For a very old refrigerator, it can. ENERGY STAR says refrigerators over 15 years old could be costing about $95 a year more to run, and that an old refrigerator uses about 20% more energy on average than an ENERGY STAR certified model.
On its own, that rarely pays for a new fridge quickly. It matters most when a fridge is already past its expected life and facing a big repair.
If you do replace a refrigerator or freezer, don't move the old one to the garage as a second fridge; that's where the extra energy cost keeps adding up. Have it recycled so the refrigerant and foam are handled properly; ENERGY STAR has a fridge and freezer recycling finder.
When to replace even if a repair is possible
- It has been under floodwater, especially salt water. The CPSC warns against using wet electrical appliances, and many flooded appliances end up replaced after inspection. See the section on appliances that sat in floodwater.
- It keeps breaking. A third repair in a short span usually means more are coming.
- Parts are discontinued for your model, or available only used.
- It's under a safety recall with a replacement remedy. You can search your model at cpsc.gov/Recalls.
- The cabinet itself is failing: a rusted-through drum, oven cavity or dishwasher tub.
Check these before you decide
- Warranty. Look at the manufacturer's warranty paperwork. Some manufacturers cover certain parts, such as sealed-system components, longer than the rest of the appliance.
- Extended or home warranty. If you have one, repairs under it usually have to go through that company's process, so call them first.
- The actual diagnosis. The decision depends on what failed. "Fridge not cooling" can be a small fan motor or a compressor. A diagnosis gives you the part, what the repair involves, and an honest view on whether it's worth doing.
Repair or replace questions
How old is too old to repair an appliance?
There's no fixed age. A small repair is usually worth doing even on an older appliance in good condition. Age matters most when the repair is a large one: past roughly half its expected life, a major repair that costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance usually points toward replacing.
Is it worth fixing a 10-year-old refrigerator?
Often, yes, for fans, relays, defrost parts, gaskets and ice makers. A standard refrigerator's expected life in the NAHB study was about 13 years, so a sealed-system repair such as a compressor on a 10-year-old fridge deserves a harder look against the price of a new one.
Will a new appliance save enough energy to pay for itself?
Rarely by itself. ENERGY STAR estimates that a refrigerator over 15 years old could cost about $95 a year more to run. That helps tip the decision on a very old fridge with a big repair, but energy savings alone usually take years to cover the price of a new appliance.
Do you install the new appliance if I decide to replace it?
No. We do repair work only. If you replace an appliance, the retailer or an installer handles delivery and installation.
If the answer turns out to be "repair," our in-home appliance repair service in Bradenton does the work where the appliance sits.