Repair vs Replace
Appliance Lifespan Guide: How to Estimate Remaining Life
Estimate appliance remaining life using model age, usage, maintenance, installation, repair history, efficiency, condition, and parts availability.
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Repair vs Replace
Should you fix it or buy new? The 50% rule, appliance lifespan benchmarks, parts availability, and how warranty coverage tilts the decision.
8 articles
The classic guideline is the 50% rule: if a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance — and the unit is past the halfway point of its expected lifespan — replacement is usually the smarter financial move. Refrigerators last roughly 10–15 years, dishwashers 8–12, washers 8–12, dryers 10–15, and ranges 13–20. A $400 control-board repair on a 4-year-old dishwasher is almost always worth it. The same repair on a 10-year-old unit almost never is.
Lifespan is only one input. Also weigh repair history (multiple failures in a short window signal broader wear), parts availability (older or discontinued models can become unrepairable overnight), warranty coverage (an active home warranty can turn a replacement decision into a $100 out-of-pocket repair), and energy efficiency (newer appliances often pay back part of their cost in lower utility bills).
The guides in this category work through the math appliance by appliance — refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer, oven — so you can plug in your own numbers and get a decision that's grounded in real cost and expected life, not sales pressure.
Repair vs Replace
Common Appliance Problems That Are Not Worth Repairing
Some appliance problems are not worth repairing. Learn when refrigerator, washer, dishwasher, oven, dryer, and cooktop repairs may not make sense.
Repair vs Replace
Appliance Repair vs Replacement: When to Fix or Replace
Should you repair or replace a broken appliance? Learn how to compare repair cost, appliance age, reliability, warranty coverage, and replacement value.
Repair vs Replace
Should You Repair or Replace a Dishwasher?
Decide whether to repair or replace a dishwasher using a written diagnosis, complete repair and installation quotes, condition, parts, coverage, and safety.
Repair vs Replace
Should You Repair or Replace a Dryer?
Decide whether to repair or replace a clothes dryer using diagnosis, complete quotes, fire and gas safety, venting, parts, coverage, efficiency, and installation.
Repair vs Replace
Should You Repair or Replace a Refrigerator?
Decide whether to repair or replace a refrigerator using diagnosis, complete quotes, food safety, parts, coverage, energy use, installation, and household needs.
Repair vs Replace
Should You Repair or Replace a Washing Machine?
Decide whether to repair or replace a washing machine using diagnosis, complete quotes, leak safety, parts, coverage, efficiency, installation, and household needs.
Repair vs Replace
Should You Repair or Replace an Oven?
Decide whether to repair or replace an oven, range, or cooktop using diagnosis, complete quotes, gas and electrical safety, parts, coverage, installation, and needs.