How to Decide When to Replace a Refrigerator

In just about any home, the refrigerator and important key appliance, second only to the plumbing system. This item is in operation 24/7/365, even when you’re not home, it is working. The average refrigerator will last ten to twenty years but could need repairs during that time at 8 to 15 years. It is during that period of 8 to 15 years you may need to decide to repair or replace a refrigerator. Which is the most cost-effective? Will a repair get you that much more time before having to replace it?

The discontent of the household will rapidly grow when this much needed, but often taken for granted when this appliance quits working. Not only do you lose that convenience of having chilled and frozen foods, but you also run the risk of what food is inside it is ruining. And the cost of replacing those spoiled groceries to avoid food poisoning and can set any household budget back.

Typically, knowing when should you replace your refrigerator is pretty obvious, but for information sake, we will review some indicators that tell you replacement is better than repairing.

Some of the most apparent signs refrigerator is dying are:

1. The Ice Maker Isn’t Making Ice

When that all too familiar churning noise from the ice maker quits totally, it’s a good indication that it has quit producing ice. Ice makers have a lot of moving parts and it isn’t uncommon for built-in ice makers to give homeowners problems. From the augur jamming to the water valve breaking to the water line clogging, cracking, or coming loose. If you have a refrigerator home warranty coverage, one phone call to the home warranty company will get the unit fixed for minimal expense to you.  

2. Floor and Inside Wet From Sweat

No matter how humid the weather may get, your refrigerator has seals that should keep the moisture out. When you notice extreme condensation inside your refrigerator or there water on the floor around it, this may be indicating now is when to replace the refrigerator. There are some things you can do yourself to see if it helps, like re-seal the unit. But if you have a home warranty plan in place, the best thing to do is make a service call.

3. The Coils Feel Hot On The Back

When the coils feel hot on the backside of the refrigerator, this is definitely an indicator that you need a professional technician to assess the unit. When the coils are overheating, the unit isn’t cooling properly and is using more energy than it should. This means the food you have inside isn’t being kept at the proper temperature and your energy bills are higher too.

4. Temperature Not Right

As refrigerators age, it will often fluctuate between working too hard and freezing foods that shouldn’t be frozen or not working hard enough and the food spoils. Either way, it’s not healthy to eat the food and it is playing havoc on your energy bill. You should look at your home warranty paperwork and verify that it does home warranty cover refrigerator and make a call for a service technician right away.

Assessing Your Refrigerator Overall

Before you decide that repairing is the best option as opposed to buying new, consider the current problem and the cost of fixing it versus the cost of a new unit. Ask the technician how much longer of a lifespan will the repair give the unit – this may be long enough for you get your finances in order to buy a new refrigerator.

A home warranty plan through Liberty Home Guard will include all the appliances and systems of your home that you choose to include. We have basic package deals and we can customize them to fit your budget and your needs. Give us a call today for a quote!