Whether To Repair Your Refrigerator Or Buy A New One
Whether To Repair Your Refrigerator Or Buy A New One
A good refrigerator can last for years, but like any other appliance, all refrigerators begin to break down or become burdensome at some point. A refrigerator that’s leaking, hissing, sweating, or repeatedly cycling on and off can be a major problem for your tenants. After all, a broken refrigerator can easily result in spoiled food and hundreds of dollars out the window.
There can be several reasons why your refrigerator isn’t working properly, but the decision of whether to repair your old unit or buy a new refrigerator rests on multiple factors, such as;
The amount of damage
If the unit has developed some common issues like faulty wiring, cooling problem, defrost problem, sparking from socket, broken drain plate, door closing problem, or drain blockage, a quick refrigerator repair service would be enough.
Age of the unit
Good refrigerators last somewhere between 10 to 20 years. Normally, the older a unit is, the more it costs to repair it.
Refrigerator Type
Your decision would highly depend on the type of refrigerator you have too. Some types of refrigerators are more difficult and costly to repair than others.
- Built-in refrigerators are less expensive to repair and have a longer lifespan, so it is almost always worth repairing them.
- Side-by-side refrigerators should be considered for replacement after a five-year window.
- Bottom-freezer refrigerators should be repaired within seven years and considered for replacement after that.
- Top-freezer refrigerators should be repaired within three years, considered for repair within three to six years, and replaced if older than seven years.
Always check if you have a warranty available. This can help you get the refrigerator replaced or repaired for free. However, if it is over ten years old, you likely do not have a warranty for it anymore.
Cost of repairing
An average fridge repair cost ranges anywhere from $200 to $400. However, the actual price depends on factors such as your city or town, the amount of labor required, and the parts needed to complete the repair.
Cost of a new refrigerator
On average, a new fridge costs anywhere from $700 to $3,000. As a rule of thumb, if the cost of the repair is more than half the price of buying a new refrigerator, it is recommended to replace your old unit.
While refrigerators usually don't require much upkeep, they are not invincible to damage from daily wear-and-tear. These problems may range from something simple like a broken pipe to more serious issues such as overheating. Because the severity of problems varies, you might find it tough to decide whether you should get it repaired or buy a new one. To make the decision a little bit easier for you, here are some of the issues you should look out for. If you find these, we would recommend investing in a new refrigerator.
Overheating
If you find your refrigerator excessively heating, it is a clear sign that something is wrong either with your unit or its refrigeration thermometer. The first thing you should do is to contact a repair technician as soon as possible to take a look at the coils.
In such a scenario, there would be two possible outcomes:
- The problem is moderate and can be fixed by replacing the coils.
- Repairing isn't an option, and a new refrigerator must be bought.
The freezer unit is freezing over.
If your refrigerator's freezer is running too cold, you have a problem on your hands. In most cases, this can be solved through defrosting your unit by simply unplugging it. However, if the issue still persists, you might want to call a technician or consider buying a new refrigerator.
There is a puddle of water around the refrigerator.
A leaking refrigerator shouldn't be overlooked. This is not only dangerous for the unit but for you too! It often happens due to the following reasons:
- Damaged door seals do not let the door close completely
- The drip pan is broken, or the hoses from the unit to the drip pan are damaged
- The freezer is too frosty
If the replacement parts end up breaking the bank, it is better to buy a new refrigerator altogether.
After going through this blog, we hope you have a pretty good idea about what to do. Your final decision would be based on factors such as; the specific problem, age, type of refrigerator, and the extent of the damage.
Buy New Refrigerator
If you are looking for a new refrigerator, here are some features you should look out for. This comprehensive list will help you with your selection process.
- Door Configurations
- Energy Efficiency
- Automatic Temperature Controls
- Door Locks and Alarms
- Edge-to-Edge Shelves
Regardless of which style you choose, you will find plenty of capacity and powerful cooling in the Frigidaire refrigerator lineup. Browse our extensive range of Frigidaire Refrigerators. If you're not sure which unit you should invest in, contact one of our HVAC experts to discuss your case. They will help you determine the best top freezer refrigerators for your facility and budget.
