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Appliance Repair vs Replace Calculator

An appliance repair quote arrives and the question is always the same: fix it or buy new? Compare the two over five years using the appliance’s age, typical lifespan, the repair and replacement prices and energy use.

Your equipment
years
$
$
Including removal, installation and any required upgrades, after rebates.
Running costs
$
Leave at 0 to compare purchase and repair costs only.
%
$
Older equipment tends to need more frequent service calls.

Results

Economic comparisonReplacement may be economically reasonableRepairing costs about 35% more over five years
5-year cost if repaired$1,186
5-year cost if replaced$878
Repair as % of replacement32%
Typical lifespan
13 years (69% used)
Assumed life left if repaired
4 years
5-year cash spent — repair path
$2,478
5-year cash spent — replace now
$1,740
50% rule (repair ≥ half the price, past half its life)
Does not apply

The 5-year economic cost counts only the part of a new unit’s 13-year life used in those five years, so the value left in a new unit is not ignored. The cash rows show what you would actually spend.

An economic comparison, not a diagnosis. Safety problems (gas leaks, cracked heat exchangers, scorched wiring), refrigerant phase-outs and parts availability can make repair unwise regardless of cost — ask the technician.

How it works

  1. Choose the appliance and enter its age and the repair quote.
  2. Enter the price of a comparable new model, including delivery, installation and haul-away.
  3. Optionally enter its yearly energy cost (from the EnergyGuide label) and how much a new model would save.
  4. Read the comparison and the 50% rule check.

Formula

Life left if repaired = max(typical lifespan − age, 2 years)
Repair path = repair + (energy + expected repairs) × years kept + new-unit share if it fails within 5 years
Replace path = price × 5 ÷ lifespan + energy × (1 − savings) × 5

Typical lifespans used: refrigerator 13 years, washer 11, dryer 13, dishwasher 10, range 14, microwave 9. The new appliance is charged for the share of its life used in five years, so its remaining life counts in its favor; cash spent is shown separately. The 50% rule suggests replacing when a repair costs at least half the price of new and the appliance is past half its life.

Example

A 6-year-old front-load washer needs a $380 drain pump and control board repair. A comparable new washer costs $950 delivered and installed.

Inputs

Appliance
Washing machine
Age
6 years
Repair quote
$380
Replacement price, installed
$950
Yearly energy cost of current unit
$45
Energy saved by a new unit
10 %
Other repairs expected per year if kept
$50

Result

Economic comparisonReplacement may be economically reasonableRepairing costs about 35% more over five years
5-year cost if repaired$855
5-year cost if replaced$634
Repair as % of replacement40%
Load this example into the calculator →

When repairing usually wins

Young appliances with a single failed part — a pump, igniter, door switch or control board — are usually worth repairing, especially high-end models whose replacement costs far more than the repair. Mid-range washers and dishwashers past about two-thirds of their life are where replacement starts to make sense.

Refrigerators are the one appliance where energy savings matter much: an older fridge can use noticeably more electricity than a new ENERGY STAR model. For dryers, ranges and microwaves, energy differences are small and the decision is mostly about repair price and age.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old refrigerator?

Often not for a major repair such as a sealed-system (compressor or refrigerant) fix, since typical refrigerator life is about 10–15 years. Minor repairs like a fan motor, thermostat or ice maker can still be worthwhile.

What is the 50% rule for appliances?

If a repair costs 50% or more of the price of a new appliance and the appliance is past half its expected life, replacement is usually the better value.

How long do washers and dryers last?

Washers typically last about 10–13 years and dryers 12–14, depending on use and maintenance.

Should I count the environmental impact?

Repairing keeps a working product out of the waste stream, which many people value beyond cost. The calculator compares money only.