Repair or Replace an Appliance? The 50 Percent Rule and Real Lifespans
Updated
Short answer
The rule of thumb
HomeGuide says whether to repair or replace depends on the appliance type, age, issue and warranty, and that appliances more than 10 years old or with repairs over 50 percent of a replacement typically are not worth repairing. It puts average repairs at $100 to $400 and replacements at $400 to $1,650 (HomeGuide).
How long appliances last
| Appliance | Expected life (years) |
|---|---|
| Gas range | 15 to 17 |
| Electric range | 13 to 15 |
| Range or oven hood | 14 |
| Clothes dryer | 13 |
| Food waste disposal | 12 |
| Freezer | 10 to 20 |
| Refrigerator | 9 to 13 |
| Dishwasher | 9 |
| Microwave oven | 9 |
| Washing machine | 5 to 15 |
| Dryer vent, steel | 20 |
| Dryer vent, plastic | 5 |
Source: InterNACHI, which notes that these assume regular maintenance and normal wear, and that people often replace appliances long before they wear out.
What repairs cost
- Refrigerator: $150 to $400
- Freezer: $100 to $400
- Ice maker: $75 to $660
- Washing machine: $180 to $250
- Dryer: $100 to $430
- Dishwasher: $175 to $325
- Oven: $130 to $310
- Stove or range: $108 to $251
- Microwave: $100 to $200
- Range hood (vent hood): $100 to $300
- Garbage disposal: $70 to $310
- Dryer vent cleaning: $75 to $340
From dated national guides; see the full cost page.
Before deciding
Quick answers
When is an appliance not worth repairing?
HomeGuide's guideline is when it is more than 10 years old or the repair costs more than half of a replacement.
Which appliance lasts longest?
On InterNACHI's chart, a gas range at 15 to 17 years, with freezers at 10 to 20 years.
Rather have someone fix it?
Tell us the appliance, the brand, the model number and what it is doing. A local technician calls back with a time and a price before any work starts.