When your refrigerator, a key household appliance that keeps food fresh and safe. Also known as a fridge, it's one of the most energy-hungry devices in your home. starts acting up, the big question isn’t just repair cost—it’s whether fixing it makes any sense at all. You’re not just spending money on a part. You’re weighing hours of downtime, rising electricity bills, and the risk of spoiled food. A fridge that’s over 10 years old isn’t just old—it’s likely using twice as much power as a new model. That’s not just inconvenient. It’s costing you hundreds every year.
Most fridge repairs fall into a few common buckets: a faulty compressor, a broken condenser fan, a leaky door seal, or a failed control board. Each has a different price tag. Replacing a door gasket? Around £50. Fixing a compressor? That’s £200 to £400—and that’s if it even works after the repair. New fridges start at £400 for a basic model and go up fast. But here’s the catch: if your fridge is older than 8 years, the repair might just delay the inevitable. A refrigerator replacement, a new appliance that replaces a failing unit with better efficiency and reliability. often pays for itself in energy savings within 3 to 5 years. And you won’t have to worry about another breakdown next month.
Then there’s the fridge repair cost, the total expense of diagnosing and fixing a malfunctioning refrigerator, including parts and labor. Many people think repair is cheaper because they see a £100 quote. But that doesn’t include the hidden costs: the time you lose waiting, the food you throw away, the stress of knowing it might die again. And if your fridge is under warranty, you’re better off pushing for a replacement. Most manufacturers won’t cover a 12-year-old unit, no matter how small the fix. The real decision isn’t about money alone—it’s about peace of mind. If your fridge is over 10 years old, has had multiple repairs, or is cooling unevenly, you’re already in replacement territory. Don’t wait until it dies in the middle of summer. Look at the numbers. Look at your energy bills. Look at your patience.
Below, you’ll find real guides from local technicians who’ve seen it all. From how to tell if your fridge’s evaporator fan is dead to whether a £300 repair on a 12-year-old unit is a scam, these posts cut through the noise. No fluff. No upsells. Just what actually matters when your fridge starts acting up.
Deciding whether to repair or replace your fridge depends on its age, repair cost, and energy efficiency. Learn when to fix it and when to buy new to save money and avoid waste.