It almost seems like we walk around dreading certain occurrences. A broken high-value appliance is a good example of this.

Not only can it greatly inconvenience how your household functions, but it can also require you to come up with cash quickly to resolve the issue. This is why cash now payday loans are so popular: the lender avails cash quickly for such emergencies.

Often, the hope is that something can be repaired. This is not just faster; it’s cheaper. Unfortunately, it’s not always the best option.

To Fix or to Replace?

There is no standard answer for this. However, weighing certain considerations can help you draw closer to an answer.

To take the right actions, think through the following:

Refrigerator’s Age

A refrigerator’s lifespan differs from one type to the next. However, 13 years is often the quoted lifespan that people can get the most use of a fridge. Some refrigerators like the single-door units can give you up to 20 years of use. Side by side and freezer top units can last between 14 and 17 years.

Similarly, how you care for it and how it’s built determines its longevity or lack thereof. As a unit approaches the end of its life, the more likely it is to break down.

A good rule of thumb is to replace a fridge that is more than ten years old rather than repair it. Past this point, repair costs can be higher than getting a new, more efficient fridge.

Refrigerator Type

Some refrigerators are easier and cheaper to repair than others. Here are guidelines to adhere to in determining whether to fix or replace.

Built-in refrigerators: these have typically longer lifespans compared to other refrigerators.

These are not expensive to repair, and considering their lifespan; they are almost always worth repairing.

Side-by-side refrigerators: these should be repaired within the first five years of purchase. After that, consider replacing.

Bottom-freezer: these should be repaired in their first seven years of life and replaced after that.

Top-freezer refrigeration: make repairs for the first three years. Consider repairs three to six years, but replace after that.

Energy Efficiency

If your unit was manufactured before 1992, you probably get very high energy bills. Typically, a 10-year old fridge uses double the energy used by an energy-star-rated fridge.

Granted, buying a newer, more efficient model will not come cheap, but is well worth it. If your fridge breaks down and is more than ten years old, consider trading it for a new model.

Extent Of Damage

There are a number of problems that can arise with your refrigerator. Some are minor, while others are more significant.

As a rule of thumb, if your unit has multiple problems and is over ten years old, replacing will be more beneficial than repairing.

The Take-Away

When determining what to do when your refrigerator breaks down, think about the extent of the damage, its age, and efficiency. These specifics will ultimately point you in the right direction.