Is it cheaper to repair or replace a refrigerator?

It’s 2 a.m. and your fridge is dead. The lights are off. The food is warming up. You panic. Do you call a repairman? Or just drag the old one to the curb and buy a new one? The answer isn’t simple. It depends on your fridge’s age, the type of problem, and how much you’re willing to spend now versus later.

When repair is the smarter choice

If your fridge is less than eight years old and the issue is something like a faulty door seal, a broken light, or a clogged condenser coil, repair is almost always the way to go. These fixes cost between $100 and $250 in Brisbane, including parts and labour. A new door gasket? Around $80. A new evaporator fan motor? About $180. Compare that to a new fridge, which starts at $800 and can easily hit $2,500 for a top-end model.

One real example from last month: a customer in Woolloongabba had a fridge that wouldn’t cool. The technician found the evaporator fan was stuck with ice buildup. After defrosting and replacing the fan, the fridge worked perfectly. Cost: $210. The customer saved $1,600.

Also, if your fridge is still under warranty-even if it’s just the manufacturer’s one-year coverage-repair is your only smart move. Even extended warranties often cover major components like compressors for up to five years. Check your paperwork before you even think about replacing it.

When replacement makes more sense

But here’s the catch: if your fridge is over 10 years old, repair might be throwing good money after bad. Older fridges use more electricity. A 12-year-old model can use twice as much power as a new Energy Star-rated one. In Queensland, where electricity prices are rising, that adds up. Running an old fridge can cost you $150 to $250 extra per year in bills.

And then there’s the compressor. If it’s failing, you’re looking at a $600 to $900 repair. That’s more than half the price of a new mid-range fridge. Most technicians won’t even recommend it. Why? Because compressors don’t just die-they signal deeper issues. The rest of the system is worn out too. Fixing the compressor might buy you another year or two, but you’ll be back here soon.

Another red flag: if your fridge is making loud buzzing, grinding, or rattling noises that weren’t there before, it’s often the compressor or condenser motor failing. These aren’t simple fixes. They’re signs the fridge is nearing the end of its life.

The hidden costs of repair

Repair isn’t just about the price tag. There’s time, inconvenience, and risk. A fridge repair can take 2 to 5 days to schedule. During that time, your food is at risk. You might need to buy coolers, ice packs, or even temporary storage. If the repair fails, you’re back to square one-with less money and more frustration.

Some repair jobs are also impossible. If your fridge uses an obsolete refrigerant like R12 or R502 (common in models from the 90s and early 2000s), replacement parts are nearly impossible to find. Even if you find them, they’re expensive and often illegal to install in Australia under current environmental regulations.

And let’s not forget labour. A technician’s call-out fee in Brisbane is usually $80 to $120. That’s non-refundable, even if they say the fridge isn’t worth fixing. So if you’re already at $200 in fees and parts, you’re halfway to a new fridge’s price.

What to look for in a new fridge

If you’re replacing, don’t just buy the cheapest one. Look for these features:

• Energy Star rating - Look for 4.5 stars or higher. A 4.5-star fridge uses 30% less power than a 2-star model.
• Inverter compressor - This adjusts power use based on demand. It’s quieter, more efficient, and lasts longer.
• French door or side-by-side - These are more expensive but offer better organisation and easier access.
• Smart features - Temperature alerts, door-open warnings, and remote monitoring can prevent future spoilage.

For a typical family of four in Brisbane, a good mid-range fridge with an inverter compressor and 4.5-star rating costs between $1,000 and $1,500. That’s a one-time cost, but it’ll save you $100 to $150 a year in electricity. Payback time? Around 8 to 10 years. After that, it’s pure savings.

Break-even math: repair vs replace

Here’s a simple way to decide:

1. Find out the repair cost. Include parts and labour.
2. Divide that by the price of a new fridge.
3. If the repair costs more than 50% of a new fridge’s price, and your fridge is over 8 years old - replace it.

Example: Your fridge is 11 years old. Repair estimate: $700. New fridge: $1,200. $700 ÷ $1,200 = 58%. You’re over the 50% line. Time to replace.

Another rule: if the fridge is more than half its expected lifespan (10-13 years), and the repair is over $500, walk away. You’re not saving money-you’re delaying the inevitable.

What about recycling?

You can’t just leave your old fridge on the footpath. In Brisbane, council rules require proper disposal. Most appliance retailers will take your old one away when delivering a new one-for free or a small fee ($30-$50). You can also drop it off at a local e-waste facility like Brisbane City Council’s Recycling Centres or Ecocycle. Some even pay you $20-$50 if the fridge has a working compressor (they salvage parts).

Don’t forget to remove the door. Old fridges left with doors intact are death traps for kids. It’s the law in Australia.

Pro tips from the field

• Keep your fridge clean. Dust on the coils makes it work harder. Vacuum them every six months.
• Don’t overload it. Airflow matters. Leave space between items.
• Check the door seal with a dollar bill. Close it on the bill. If you can pull it out easily, the seal is worn.
• Set the temperature to 3°C for the fridge, -18°C for the freezer. Any colder wastes energy.
• Don’t plug your fridge into a power strip. Plug it directly into the wall. Voltage spikes kill compressors.

Most fridge failures happen because of neglect-not bad luck. A little maintenance can add five years to its life.

Final decision checklist

Ask yourself these five questions:

1. Is the fridge under 8 years old?
2. Is the repair cost less than 50% of a new fridge?
3. Is the problem a simple part (seal, fan, thermostat)?
4. Is the fridge still energy efficient?
5. Do you have the space and budget for a new one?

If you answered yes to the first three and no to the last two, repair. If you answered no to the first three, or yes to the last two, replace.

There’s no magic number. But if you’re sitting on a 12-year-old fridge with a $600 repair bill, you’re not saving money-you’re paying to keep a dinosaur running.