Deciding Between Refrigerator Repair and Replacement

Depending on the age, type, and efficiency of your refrigerator, it may be more economical to schedule refrigerator repair rather than replacing the unit altogether. For quality Mayfair and GE Refrigerator repair in Birmingham , contact Holloway Appliance Repair of Birmingham. If you are unsure whether to replace or repair your refrigerator, here are some tips that will help you decide.

Age
Refrigerators typically last somewhere between 10 and 20 years. The older your refrigerator is, the more likely it is that repairing it will be expensive. If your refrigerator is older than 15 years, it should probably be replaced. And if your refrigerator is eight years old or less, it should probably be repaired. If your refrigerator is between eight and 15 years old, consider the type of refrigerator, its efficiency, and your desire to get a new refrigerator to help you decide whether it should be repaired or replaced.

Refrigerator Repair and Replacement Birmingham

Type
Some refrigerators can be very costly to repair. In fact, Consumer Reports found that built-in refrigerators are typically less expensive to repair, while side-by-side refrigerators are more expensive to repair. If your side-by-side refrigerator is more than five year old, it might need to be replaced. Bottom freezers that are malfunctioning should be repaired if they are seven years old or less, or replaced if they are older. Failing top freezers should be replaced if they are over seven years old.

Efficiency
According to Energy Star, a 10-year old refrigerator uses twice the energy of a new Energy-Star certified refrigerator. If your old refrigerator is inefficient, investing in a new Energy Star refrigerator can save you money on your energy bills. If you are considering refrigerator replacement , keep in mind that manual-defrost units and units with top-mounted freezers are more efficient than their counterparts.

Overall
Assess the amount of damage on your current refrigerator. If there are several damaged parts, it may be a better idea to replace the unit. If your faulty refrigerator is under warranty coverage, make a claim before replacing it, because you might be able to get it repaired for free.