How to Know if You Should Replace Your Refrigerator

Co-authored by Aaron Beth

Last Updated: November 4, 2022 References

If you've noticed your fridge is producing condensation, failing to maintain a temperature below 40°F (4.5°C), or having other issues, try to determine the cause of the problem. Some issues, such as excessive heat or noise, should be addressed by a qualified appliance repair technician. Look to replace older refrigerators if repair costs are high or if your fridge was built before 1997. Note that newer refrigerators are generally environmentally and financially advantageous, as they require less energy to operate.^{[1]
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Things You Should Know

High-quality fridges should last at roughly 15 years or so, so if your refrigerator is older than 10 years old and it starts acting up, you’re better off replacing it.
If you get a quote for a repair and it’s more than $600-800, it’s worth checking out some newer fridges to see if you can find something you like in that price range.
Common symptoms that are probably going to mean you need to replace your fridge include: extreme heat coming out the back of the fridge, food spoiling faster than the expiration date indicates, excessive condensation on the exterior, and interior damage to the walls and lining of the fridge.
If your fridge is super loud (or totally silent) and it’s acting up a bit, try unplugging it and plugging it in again before you contact a repair person; unfortunately, these repairs are often way too costly to justify keeping the fridge.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Replacing Old or Inefficient Refrigerators

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Replace a fridge that would require expensive repairs.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.} As a rule of thumb, if repair costs are 50% or more of the cost of a new fridge, you should buy a new fridge. There are two main reasons to do so. First, as refrigerators age, they will need more and more repairs. Second, replacing an older refrigerator allows you to get a more efficient model that will reduce your energy costs.^{[3]
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Lean towards repairs on younger fridges. Different types of fridges are more prone to needing repairs and have varied overall lifespans. For instance, built-in refrigerators are generally worth repairing. In general, however, any fridge that is only a year or two old is worth repairing.^{[4]
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Default to repairs depending on the type of the fridge. Side-by-side fridge and freezer appliances are usually worth repairing for the first five years of their life, and fridges with bottom freezers are usually worth repairing for seven years or so. Fridges with freezers on top can usually be repaired within the first three years of their life, but may need to be replaced in seven years or less.^{[5]
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4
Retire fridges older than 10 years. Refrigerators are expected to last between 10 and 20 years. If yours is at least 10 years old and has begun to have issues, it's simply time for a replacement. Not only will repairs on older models be more expensive, but the fridge will also likely need additional repairs sooner than later, and a newer model will be more energy efficient.^{[6]
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Consider downsizing whenever possible. If you find that you are not using all of the space in your present refrigerator, consider replacing it with a smaller model. For instance, if your children have grown up and moved out, you may find that a full-size fridge is no longer necessary for your household.

Method 2

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Troubleshooting Condensation and Frost

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Replace fridges with interior wall damage. Another cause of condensation or frost may be a crack in the interior shell of your refrigerator. These cracks will allow cold air to escape and are extremely hard to repair. If your refrigerator is still under warranty, contact the retailer or manufacturer to see about getting a replacement.^{[7]
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- It may be worth contacting an appliance repair professional before deciding to replace the fridge, but cracks in the shell usually mean the appliance will need to be replaced.
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Test the door seal if you find condensation. If water is collecting on any surface of your fridge, including the exterior, this may be a sign that the door seal is no longer airtight. Excessive frost in the freezer or on the exterior of the fridge may also indicate a faulty seal.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Expert Interview. 14 July 2020.}
- Look at the rubber gasket all the way around the door to ensure it hasn't come loose somewhere. If so, you may be able to push it back in.
- Test the seal in multiple spots by closing the door onto a piece of paper money. Try to pull the bill out of the door slowly. If it easily slides out, you may be able to fix the fridge by replacing the rubber gasket that runs around the edge of the door.
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Replace the seal yourself. You may be able to replace your refrigerator's seal yourself. You can likely get a kit that contains the materials necessary to do so from your local hardware store or an online retailer.^{[9]
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- Be sure any kit you purchase is compatible with your fridge. You may have to order a special kit from the refrigerator's manufacturer.
- Kits to replace the gasket on most refrigerators cost about $50.

Method 3

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Knowing When to Consult a Pro

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Have a pro look at a noisy fridge. You shouldn't be able to hear your fridge running all of the time. This indicates the motor is going at full blast trying to keep the fridge cold. If a fridge is running properly, the motor will only run periodically.^{[10]
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- Note that your fridge's motor will run more often if the door is frequently opened. For instance, if you're having a party and people are going in and out of the fridge, the motor will run more frequently.
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Feel the air behind the fridge. If you feel excessive heat coming from your fridge, have an appliance repair professional come take a look at it. There are coils on the back of the fridge that release heat regularly, but it shouldn't be too noticeable unless you're nearly touching the insulation that covers the coils.^{[11]
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- If the fridge is emanating heat, it likely needs new coils. Weigh the cost of repairing your fridge against buying a new one. It is often worth buying a newer, more efficient fridge in these cases.
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Pay attention to the fridge's temperature. If you notice food going bad more quickly than expected, or that you have to keep turning the fridge's thermometer down to keep items cool, your fridge has probably become less efficient.^{[12]
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- Whenever you notice a fridge is not working as well as it used to, have it looked at by a professional. For instance, a freezer that's running too cold is also an issue.
- Even if it is still working, the fridge may be using more energy than it should, not to mention increasing your energy costs.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you know when it's time to replace your refrigerator?

Aaron Beth
Appliance Technician
Aaron Beth is the founder of Aaron’s Refrigeration Company in New York City and a factory certified installer (FCI) for Sub-Zero products. He specializes in the service and maintenance of built-in refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines. With over 54 years of experience, Aaron is the recipient of numerous Super-Service awards from Angie’s Lists and 2019 Best-of-the City.

Aaron Beth

Appliance Technician

Expert Answer

Have a professional look at it first, since they'll be able to give you an estimate of how much repairs will cost. If you have an expensive refrigerator, and repairs are affordable, I would try to repair it. Otherwise, it may be more worthwhile to replace your refrigerator, especially if it's a cheaper model.