Appliance Replacement: When to Fix It vs. Buy New

When your appliance replacement, the decision to swap out a broken home device for a new one. Also known as appliance upgrade, it’s not just about buying something new—it’s about saving money, energy, and hassle in the long run. Most people assume fixing a broken appliance is always cheaper, but that’s not true. A 10-year-old fridge might cost $300 to repair, but if it’s using twice the electricity of a new model, you’re paying extra every month. Same goes for ovens that heat unevenly, dishwashers that leave dishes dirty, or washing machines that shake across the floor. These aren’t just annoyances—they’re signs your appliance has reached its end.

Knowing when to replace an appliance isn’t guesswork. It’s about age, cost, and efficiency. For example, most refrigerators last 10 to 15 years. If yours is 8 years old and the compressor is failing, repair might make sense. But if it’s 12 years old and the repair bill hits $400, you’re better off replacing it. The same logic applies to ovens. A faulty control board can cost $250 to fix, but if your oven takes 45 minutes to heat up and your electric bill keeps climbing, a new model with better insulation and smart features will pay for itself in under two years. Dishwashers? If yours is leaking, noisy, or doesn’t clean well anymore, a new one with a better motor and energy rating could cut your water and power use by 30%. These aren’t theoretical savings—they’re real numbers from real households.

It’s not just about the big-ticket items. Even smaller appliances like extractor fans and microwaves follow the same pattern. A fan that’s clogged with grease won’t just run poorly—it can become a fire hazard. A microwave with a blown fuse might seem cheap to fix, but if it’s older than 7 years, the magnetron is likely wearing out. Replacing it now saves you from a breakdown during holiday cooking. The key is to look at the whole picture: how old is it? How much does it cost to run? How often do you need repairs? If you’ve had to fix it twice in the last year, it’s probably time to replace it.

You’ll find real stories below—from people who saved hundreds by replacing their fridge before it died, to those who wasted money on a $500 oven repair that didn’t last. We’ll show you the exact signs to watch for, the average lifespan of each major appliance, and how to calculate whether repair or replacement makes more sense for your wallet. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just clear, practical advice based on what actually happens in homes across Glastonbury.