When Is It Time to Buy a New Appliance vs. Fix It?

When your household appliance breaks, you may feel unsure what to do: should you fix it or buy a new one? 

Often, we don’t think twice about tossing an old appliance. Yet, it may be well worth it to repair your fridge, washer, oven, or other appliance, especially if it’s a low-cost fix. 

In fact, the average cost of appliance repair in 2022 is $174, which means that you may be able to revive your appliance without breaking the bank. 

Let’s go through some key considerations for deciding whether to fix your broken appliance or buy a completely new one.

Is your appliance actually broken?

Before you start worrying about your appliance, make sure that it’s actually broken. 

While it may seem obvious, sometimes your appliance may malfunction for simple reasons that don’t require a repair, such as:

• Somebody accidentally unplugged the appliance, whether partially or fully. 
• The appliance is clogged by lint and dust. 
• The appliance’s position has become uneven to the floor.
• The plug’s electrical wiring isn’t working.

Try troubleshooting these minor issues to check that your appliance is actually broken. From here, you can be certain that you need to fix your appliance or buy a new one.

Key considerations for fixing an appliance vs. buying a new one

Now that you know your appliance is broken and you are deciding what to do about it, take a step back to evaluate the situation. Some factors to think about include:

• Age: Your appliance can only last so long. If it’s at the end of its expected longevity, it may be time to get a new one. Otherwise, a repair may be the right choice.
• Repair cost: DIY or handyman? AppliancePartsPros.com can help you tackle your DIY appliance repairs. If you do the repair on your own, you may be able to save on the fix. However, you should understand your skill limitations, because paying for a handyman later could increase your costs. Check out our repair videos before you begin to make sure it’s a repair you can undertake.
• Part cost: Don’t forget that if the repair requires a new part, that will add to the overall cost. AppliancePartsPros.com offers affordable OEM parts for appliances, but not all appliances may warrant the cost of a repair.
• Pricing of new appliance: The cost of a brand new appliance is also a factor. Take a look at pricing for different models and get a sense of how much a replacement would be.
• Energy efficiency: Going eco-friendly isn’t just good for the environment, it could also save you on your water and electric bills. Check the energy rating on your appliance. If it’s especially low-rated, it may be worth getting a more modern appliance to make up the cost difference in the long run.
• Warranty: Check the warranty on your appliance as well. If you’re within the warranty period, you should absolutely get it diagnosed by the manufacturer.
• Hidden costs (removal, installation, electrical wiring, tax, etc.): Finally, you should factor in hidden costs that may be involved in getting a new appliance, such as removal of the old one, installation fees, new electrical wiring, and more.

When it’s worth fixing your appliance

There’s a lot to consider when deciding whether it’s worth fixing your appliance. To help you cut through the noise, here are some hints that repairing your appliance is worth it:

• If your warranty is still valid.
• If you can DIY repair your appliance, saving on handyman costs.
• If the replacement part is readily available and not expensive to order. (Sometimes manufacturers inflate replacement parts. Luckily, you can get affordable replacement parts on AppliancePartsPros.com.)
• If money is tight and you want to keep the budget as low as possible.

As a general rule of thumb, use the 50% method to determine whether it’s worth repairing. The 50% method states that if the appliance is more than 50% through its lifespan and the repair costs more than 50% of buying and installing a new appliance, then you should get a new one. 

Keep in mind that some repairs are just far too involved to be cost-effective. For example, if your dryer is emitting smoke, your oven has rust on the sides or your fridge has a faulty compressor, you’re better off getting a new appliance.

When should I do a DIY repair?

DIY repairs are an excellent idea, as you can save money on the fix. As you begin a DIY repair, just be sure of the following:

• That you’re working safely, with the right tools, equipment, clothing, and workspace.
• That you’ve taken safety precautions, such as unplugging the appliance, turning off the circuit breakers, and turning off the water supply.  
• That you have the correct, genuine replacement parts. (Get them on AppliancePartsPros.com!)
• That you’re working within your skill level. If the repair is a reach for you, don’t try to do it. Otherwise, you’ll risk paying much more when you have to hire a handyman later on.

Need more tips for your DIY repair? Check out our guide to stay safe as you perform a DIY fix on your appliance!

When it’s worth buying a new one

Sometimes, you might be better off buying a new appliance instead of going through expensive repairs on an older model. Here are some ways to know whether it’s time to get a new one:

• The appliance no longer has warranty and is at the end of its expected lifespan. 
• You’re keen on cutting your water/electrical bills in the long term and want to prioritize eco-friendly models.
• If you’re planning to stay in your home for another 10-15 years, it’s worth updating older appliances. (Otherwise, leave it to the new owners!)
• The repair is highly involved and requires a professional, who charges more than a DIY fix would.

Remember that when you calculate the cost of buying a new appliance, be sure to include removing the old and installing the new, updating electrical wiring (if needed), and paying tax. Sometimes these costs can tip the 50% method in favor of making a repair.

Average lifespan and repair costs of appliances

Appliance type	Average lifespan range	Average repair cost range
Washer	5-15 years	$100-$650
Dryer	10-13 years	$100-$650
Refrigerator	9-13 years	$200-$500
Dishwasher	9-10 years	$100-$300
Oven	13-15 years	$100-$400
Cooktop/range	13-17 years	$100-$430
Garbage disposal	8-12 years	$70-$400
Microwave	9-10 years	$50-$400

Every appliance and repair is unique, which is why you should get a quote for both repairing and getting a new model. However, to give you a general sense of costs, here are the average lifespans and repair cost ranges for common household appliances.

Tips for deciding between a new appliance vs. fixing the old

Still not sure whether it’s worth buying a new appliance vs. fixing it? If you still feel torn about this decision, take the steps below to get a better idea. 

1. Get a repair and parts quote to know exactly how much it will cost you.

Often we get stuck in appliance anxiety when we don’t have all the information we need. Do some research online to determine the likely problem with you appliance and the parts you’ll need to repair it. Be sure to get in touch with a local handyman to ask about the exact repair costs so you can compare DIY vs professional repair (Remember that these shops may charge a “diagnostic fee,” so ask about this before getting a quote!). From here, you’ll know exactly how much it will cost you compared to getting a new appliance.

2. Find out the availability of parts.

Another key factor is the availability of the replacement part. Sometimes it can be tricky to find the right, genuine parts for your appliance. If you (or your handyman) are struggling to get the part, don’t forget about online vendors as well. At AppliancePartsPros.com, we have a diverse range of genuine parts for the most popular models and brands out there. Check out what we offer before you give up on finding the right part!

3. Weigh the benefits of energy efficiency.

Updating to eco-efficient appliances should be on everybody’s checklist. But don’t decide to buy a new appliance based on just this factor. After all, your water and electric bill may go down, but likely not more than $50-$100 a month. In the long run, you’ll save money, but you’ll first need to shell out potentially much more for a new appliance. For this reason, you should carefully weigh the benefits of buying a new energy-efficient appliance.

Improve the longevity of your appliances with regular maintenance

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether it’s worth buying a new appliance vs. fixing one. With these key tips, you hopefully have a better sense of the right decision for your family. 

At the same time, you should think about how to improve the longevity of your appliances over time, which can save you money. The best way to keep your appliances in good order is to do regular maintenance on them, including replacing filters, checking vents, inspecting hoses, and cleaning them. 

And remember: if you’ve decided to repair your appliance, shop for all your replacement parts on AppliancePartsPros.com!