A widely used rule of thumb says repair an appliance if the cost is less than about half the price of a new equivalent, and the appliance is less than about half its typical expected lifespan. It is a genuinely useful starting point, but a handful of other factors — the specific fault, energy efficiency, and how essential the appliance is — often matter just as much as the math alone.
The 50% rule
Compare the repair estimate to the cost of a comparable new appliance. If the repair is under roughly half that price, and the appliance is under half its typical expected lifespan, repair generally makes financial sense. Outside either of those thresholds, replacement often works out better value over time.
Typical appliance lifespans
For a fuller breakdown by appliance type, see our guide on appliance lifespans and when repair stops making sense. As a quick reference:
| Appliance | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Washing machine | ~10–13 years |
| Dryer | ~13 years |
| Refrigerator | ~13–17 years |
| Dishwasher | ~9–12 years |
| Oven/range | ~13–15 years |
| Water heater (tank) | ~10–13 years |
What the rule does not account for
- The specific fault matters. A blocked filter or a worn belt is a cheap, quick fix regardless of the appliance’s age. A failed compressor or main control board on an older unit is a different calculation entirely — repair cost climbs while confidence in the appliance’s remaining life drops.
- Energy efficiency has improved significantly. A 12-year-old refrigerator or washing machine can use noticeably more energy than a current equivalent — savings on utility bills partially offset the cost of replacing an appliance that is not technically broken but is inefficient.
- How essential the appliance is. A broken refrigerator affects daily life immediately; a broken second freezer in the garage does not carry the same urgency, which can change how much repair delay or cost you are willing to accept.
- Repeat failures change the calculation. An appliance that has needed two or three repairs in as many years is telling you something, even if each individual repair looked reasonable on its own.
- Parts availability. Older appliances, particularly from discontinued model lines, can face longer waits or higher costs for genuine replacement parts.
A practical way to decide
- Get an actual repair quote, not just a guess
Rules of thumb are only as good as the numbers going into them — a real quote from a technician is worth more than an estimate.
- Check the appliance’s age against typical lifespan
Use the table above as a starting reference for your specific appliance type.
- Consider the fault type
A simple, cheap part replacement tips the decision toward repair even on an older unit. A major component failure tips it toward replacement even on a younger one.
- Factor in how essential it is
Weigh how much disruption a repair delay causes against the cost difference.
- Check your specific model’s repair history
A quick search for common faults on your specific model can reveal whether this is a known, easily fixed issue or a sign of a model with recurring problems.
