Deciding whether to fix an aging appliance or replace it outright is one of the questions we field most. Here's the same framework our technicians use when they're giving you a straight answer.
Start With the Halfway Rule
Weigh It Against the Appliance's Age
Combine the halfway rule with where the unit sits in its expected service life:
- Refrigerators: roughly 13–17 years. Past year 12, lean toward replacing.
- Washers / Dryers: roughly 10–15 years. Past year 10, think it through carefully.
- Dishwashers: roughly 9–12 years. Past year 9, apply the halfway rule without exception.
- Ovens / Ranges: roughly 13–20 years. These last long enough that repair is usually the right call.
- Microwaves: roughly 7–10 years. Rarely worth fixing once they're past 8.
Don't Ignore Energy Efficiency
When Repair Almost Always Wins
An appliance under 5 years old with a single failed part is nearly always worth fixing. You've got plenty of service life left, and one component failing isn't typically a sign the whole unit is breaking down.
When Replacement Almost Always Wins
Watch for red flags like a compressor failure on a refrigerator past its 10th year, a drum spider going out on an 8-year-old washer, or the identical problem showing up twice — each one signals the appliance is entering a broader decline, not suffering an isolated fault.