Here’s When Fixing Your Refrigerator Makes More Sense

Modern refrigerators do more than keep food chilled: They also come with ice makers, water dispensers and filters, and features that help you keep contents organized.

But the more bells and whistles there are, the more of a chance there is that at least one of the components will break. Homeowners are then faced with the decision of whether to repair their current fridge, or replace it with a new one.

So how do you know when it makes more sense to fix your refrigerator? The experts at Consumer Reports (CR) have created a guide and interactive tool to help you figure it out. Here’s what to know.

How to use CR’s interactive tool

You can access the interactive online tool on this page of the CR website. Start by selecting your fridge’s freezer type (top freezers, bottom freezers, French doors, side-by-sides, or built-ins) from the drop-down menu on the top left. Then, use the sliders on the bottom of the tool to enter the age of your refrigerator, the original cost, and any estimate you have for a repair.

The color bar will then let you know whether you should definitely repair, consider a repair, or replace your refrigerator. If it indicates that you should replace your fridge, the tool provides recommendations for new models to consider.

When it makes more sense to repair your refrigerator instead of replacing it

Rather than simply getting rid of a new-ish refrigerator—and contributing to a landfill—there are many situations when repairing the one you currently own makes more financial sense.

According to CR research, it’s typically more economical to fix refrigerators less than 10 years old. This is good news, considering there’s a 31% likelihood that a fridge will need repairs between the second and fifth years of ownership, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $197.

Not all repairs are the same

Just because there’s a problem with your fridge, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to shell out for expensive professional repairs. Here are three factors to consider, per CR:

• Recalls: Check the manufacturer’s website to see if the faulty part of your fridge is covered by a product recall.
• Your warranty: Is your fridge covered by any type of standard or extended warranty? If so, is your problem one it covers?
• DIY repairs: If you’ve identified the problem, look in the owner’s manual and/or do an online search to find out whether it’s a quick and simple fix you can do yourself, or a situation that requires a professional.

If you aren’t able to pinpoint the problem on your own, and are on the fence about whether to bring in a professional, the experts at CR recommend calling your manufacturer’s customer service department:

Many refrigerators now feature technology that allows them to run remote diagnostics that can identify your problem. This will either take the form of connecting your refrigerator to your home’s WiFi so that customer service can access it, or transmitting a series of diagnostic codes over the phone that customer service can translate into data on the issue.

Keep in mind that if you do end up hiring a professional to determine what’s wrong with your fridge, most charge a fee for the visit—though it’s typically applied towards the cost of any repairs, according to CR.