One of the most common questions I get on service calls is: “Andrew, should I just replace this thing?”
It’s a fair question. Nobody wants to sink $400 into a machine that’s going to die six months later. But nobody wants to spend $1,200 on a new appliance when a $150 repair would have bought them five more years, either.
After 14 years and more than 12,000 repairs, here’s how I think about it.
The 50% Rule
This is the simplest rule of thumb in the appliance world, and it holds up well:
If the repair costs more than 50% of what a comparable new appliance would cost, replace it.
So if you’ve got a dishwasher that would cost $700 to replace and the repair estimate is $400, you’re at 57% — that’s replacement territory. But if the repair is $180, that’s only 26%, and it’s almost always worth fixing.
The one caveat: if the appliance has already had multiple repairs in the last two years, lower your threshold to 30-35%. Recurring problems are a sign of systemic failure, not a one-off part issue.
Age Guidelines by Appliance Type
Every appliance has a general life expectancy. Once you’re past it, repairs become riskier investments because the next failure is never far behind.
Refrigerators
- Expected lifespan: 10-18 years
- Replace if: Over 15 years old AND the repair involves the compressor or sealed system
- Worth repairing: Thermostat, fan motor, ice maker, door seal, water valve — these are all affordable fixes even on older units
- Typical repair range: $150-$450
Washers
- Expected lifespan: 8-14 years
- Replace if: Over 10 years old AND the repair involves the transmission, main bearing, or control board
- Worth repairing: Pumps, lid switches, belts, inlet valves, door latches
- Typical repair range: $125-$350
Dryers
- Expected lifespan: 10-15 years
- Replace if: Over 12 years old AND the drum bearing or motor is gone
- Worth repairing: Heating element, thermal fuse, belt, rollers, gas valve solenoid
- Typical repair range: $100-$300
Dishwashers
- Expected lifespan: 7-12 years
- Replace if: Over 9 years old AND the repair involves the wash motor or control board
- Worth repairing: Pump, spray arm, door latch, float switch, inlet valve
- Typical repair range: $100-$275
Ovens & Ranges
- Expected lifespan: 12-20 years
- Replace if: Over 15 years old AND the repair involves the control board on an electronic model, or if it’s a gas range with a cracked manifold
- Worth repairing: Igniter, bake element, broil element, thermostat, burner valve
- Typical repair range: $125-$400
Freezers
- Expected lifespan: 10-20 years (chest freezers last longest)
- Replace if: Over 15 years old AND the compressor has failed
- Worth repairing: Thermostat, defrost timer, evaporator fan, start relay
- Typical repair range: $125-$350
When the Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Sometimes the math says repair, but there are other factors:
Energy efficiency. A refrigerator from 2006 uses roughly 40% more electricity than a comparable 2024 model. If your electric bill seems high, a new Energy Star appliance can pay for itself over three to four years.
Parts availability. Some manufacturers discontinue parts faster than others. If your appliance is from a brand that’s exited the US market or if the specific part is on extended backorder, that changes the calculation.
High-end appliances are almost always worth repairing. A Sub-Zero, Viking, or Thermador unit costs $5,000 to $15,000 new. A $600 repair on a 12-year-old Sub-Zero is a no-brainer — those machines are built to run for 25 years with proper maintenance.
Matching sets. If you have a matched washer-dryer pair and one dies, you don’t necessarily need to replace both — but be aware that if you replace one, the remaining unit may look noticeably older and could fail soon after.
Questions to Ask Your Technician
When I’m on a call and someone asks me whether to repair or replace, here’s what I walk through with them:
- How old is the appliance?
- What’s the specific failure — is it a wear part or a major component?
- Has it been repaired before, and for what?
- Is this a high-end unit with a longer design life?
- Are parts readily available or discontinued?
Any honest technician should be willing to tell you when a repair doesn’t make financial sense. If they can’t — or won’t — answer these questions, find a different technician.
The Bottom Line
Most appliances that are less than 8 years old and need a repair under $350 are worth fixing. Most appliances over 15 years old that need a repair over $500 are not.
Everything in between is a judgment call, and that’s where having a technician you trust makes all the difference.
If you’ve got an appliance that’s giving you trouble and you want a straight answer, call us at (714) 243-8415. We’ll diagnose it, give you the repair cost, and tell you honestly whether it’s worth it. Our $89 diagnostic fee is waived if you go ahead with the repair.
— Andrew Heimer, Anaheim Appliance Repair
