There's no single rule that tells you when to repair an appliance and when to replace it. The right answer depends on the appliance, what broke, how you use it and your circumstances. This guide lays out the questions that matter, so you can make the call with the facts in front of you.
Start with what actually failed
The same symptom can have a cheap cause or an expensive one. A refrigerator that runs warm may need a coil cleaning, a fan motor or a defrost part. Or it may have a refrigerant leak. A washer that won't spin may have a lid lock problem or failed bearings. Until the fault is diagnosed, you don't have enough information to decide.
Broadly, repairs fall into two groups:
- •Wear parts and controls: igniters, fans, pumps, valves, switches, door gaskets, belts, sensors and many control boards. These are the parts designed to be replaced, and replacing them usually makes sense.
- •Core components: sealed refrigeration systems, compressors, washer transmissions and tub bearings, oven cavities and some main control boards on older models. These are the expensive repairs, and they deserve a closer look.
Questions to ask
How old is it, and how has it held up?
An appliance that has been reliable and has one failed part is a good repair candidate. One that has needed repeated repairs may be near the end of its useful life. Consider the whole appliance, not just today's problem.
Can the parts be found?
Manufacturers stop making parts for older models eventually. When a part is discontinued, an equivalent may be available, or it may not. The parts we fit are looked up by model number. We prefer the maker's own and say so when we're using an equivalent. If the part can't be found, that settles the question.
Does it fit a specific space?
Built-in refrigerators, wall ovens, cooktops, dishwashers and microwave drawers are sized to a cabinet opening. A replacement may not fit without cabinet work. High-end built-ins from brands like Sub-Zero are built with long service lives and repairability in mind, and even major repairs can make sense when replacement means new cabinetry.
How hard is it to get a new one in?
In Northern Virginia, that's a real question. Replacing a refrigerator in a high-rise condo may mean reserving a service elevator, meeting the building's rules for contractors and delivery crews, and removing the old unit. A new washer and dryer going into an upstairs closet in a townhouse means carrying them up narrow stairs, and a new model may not fit the same closet or stack the same way. An older house may have doorways narrower than a modern refrigerator. Measure the path before you buy.
Are you moving soon?
Many households in the region are military or federal families who move on a schedule. If you're selling or leaving a rental in a few months, a reasonable repair that keeps the appliance working may make more sense than buying a new one you'll leave behind. Appliances often convey with the house.
Do you rent?
Renters should contact the landlord or property manager first. In most leases, appliances that come with the unit are the owner's responsibility.
Is it still under warranty?
An appliance that's still inside its manufacturer's warranty belongs with that manufacturer. We aren't an authorized service center for any maker, so warranty work isn't ours to do. Also check whether a credit card, home warranty or extended service plan covers the repair.
When repair usually makes sense
- •The fault is a wear part or control, and the appliance is otherwise in good condition.
- •It's a built-in or high-end appliance that fits a custom space.
- •Parts are available.
- •Replacing it would be difficult or disruptive.
- •You like the appliance and it has been reliable.
When replacement usually makes sense
- •A core component has failed on an older appliance, and the repair would be a large share of what a new one costs.
- •Parts are no longer available.
- •The appliance has needed repeated repairs.
- •It's a basic countertop appliance, like an inexpensive microwave, where the repair cost is close to the replacement cost. Our guide to microwave repair goes into that.
- •You want features or efficiency a new model offers.
Other considerations
Energy use
Newer appliances are often more efficient, and ENERGY STAR ratings can help you compare. But the savings from replacing a working appliance may take years to add up. Energy use alone rarely justifies replacing an appliance that can be repaired cheaply.
Safety
Some conditions tip the decision on their own. A gas range with a corroded burner valve, a dryer whose worn drum seal lets lint reach the heater, or an appliance with a scorched power cord or melted terminal block needs a proper repair or a replacement. Carrying on as it is isn't an option. A diagnosis tells you which of those you're facing.
Waste
Repairing keeps a large appliance out of the landfill. If you replace, ask about haul-away and recycling of the old one.
How we help you decide
What we bring to the decision is a diagnosis. The technician finds the fault in your home, explains it, and puts a price on the repair. Whether it goes ahead is up to you, and we'll be candid when we think the money is better spent on a new unit. You can see what we work on at our appliance repair page, or book a visit online.
Common questions
Is it worth repairing a ten-year-old refrigerator?
It depends on what failed. A fan or defrost part is usually worth fixing. A sealed-system leak on an older refrigerator often isn't.
Should I repair a washer with bad bearings?
Bearing replacement is a major job on most front-loaders. On an older machine, replacement is often more sensible. On a newer or high-end one, repair may be worth it.
Do repaired appliances last?
A good repair with the right part can give an appliance years more service, especially if the rest of it is in good condition. Ask the technician about the overall condition when they diagnose it.