Here’s When Fixing Your Refrigerator Makes More Sense

Modern refrigerators don’t just cool food, they also come with ice makers, water dispensers and filters, as well as features to help keep things organized.

But the more bells and whistles, the more likely it is that at least one of the components will break. Homeowners are then faced with the decision of whether to repair the old refrigerator or replace it with a new one.

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

How to use the interactive CR tool

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

The colored bar will then tell you if you should definitely repair, consider repairing, or replace the refrigerator. If this indicates that you should replace the refrigerator, the tool provides recommendations for considering new models.

When It Makes Sense to Repair Your Refrigerator Instead of Replacing It

Instead of just getting rid of your new refrigerator and doing your part in landfilling, in many situations repairing the one you have makes more financial sense.

According to a CR study , it is generally more economical to repair refrigerators that are less than 10 years old. This is good news, given that there is a 31% chance that a refrigerator will need repairs between the second and fifth years of ownership, and the average out-of-pocket expense is $197.

Not all renovations are the same

Just because your refrigerator has a problem doesn’t necessarily mean you have to shell out for expensive professional repairs. Here are three factors to consider for every CR :

• Recall : Check the manufacturer’s website to see if the defective part of your refrigerator is subject to a product recall.
• Your Warranty : Is your refrigerator covered by any standard or extended warranty? If so, is your problem one of them?
• Self-Repair : If you have identified a problem, check your owner’s manual and/or search the Internet to see if it can be quickly and easily fixed on your own, or a situation that requires the help of a professional.

If you can’t identify the problem yourself and are unsure whether to call a professional, CR experts recommend calling your manufacturer’s customer service department:

Many refrigerators are now equipped with technology that allows them to perform remote diagnostics that can determine your problem. This will either connect your refrigerator to your home Wi-Fi network so that customer support can access it, or send a series of diagnostic codes over the phone that customer support can translate into data on the problem.

Keep in mind that if you end up hiring a professional to determine what’s wrong with your refrigerator, most of them charge a visit fee, although according to CR , it’s usually applied to the cost of any repairs.