Repair or Replace? How the 50% Rule Helps You Decide
Before you pay to have an appliance hauled away, it is worth spending five minutes on one question: is it really cheaper to replace it? The 50% rule is the simplest way to decide.
The 50% rule
The rule has two parts:
- Cost: if the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance, replacement usually makes more sense.
- Age: if the appliance is already past half of its expected lifespan, lean towards replacement even for moderate repairs.
When both point the same way, the decision is easy. When they disagree — a young appliance with an expensive repair, or an old one with a cheap fix — look at the other factors below.
Expected lifespans
| Appliance | Typical lifespan | “Halfway” point |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 10–15 years | 6–7 years |
| Washer | 10–13 years | 5–6 years |
| Dryer | 10–13 years | 5–6 years |
| Dishwasher | 9–10 years | 4–5 years |
| Range / oven | 13–15 years | 7 years |
These are averages. Premium brands and well-maintained machines often last longer; heavy use and hard water shorten life.
Worked examples
Six-year-old refrigerator, failed evaporator fan
A fan repair typically costs a few hundred dollars against well over $1,500 for a comparable new refrigerator. The fridge is at its halfway point. Repair.
Eleven-year-old dishwasher, failed control board
The board plus labor can approach half the price of a new mid-range dishwasher, and the machine is past its expected life. Replace.
Four-year-old dryer that will not heat
A heating element or thermal fuse is an inexpensive part. Repair — and clean the vent, since a blocked vent is what often burns out the element in the first place.
Other things to weigh
- Energy use. A refrigerator from the early 2000s can use far more electricity than a current model, which shortens the payback on a new one.
- Built-in and premium appliances. Replacing a built-in refrigerator or a high-end range can mean cabinet work, so repairs make sense for longer.
- Parts availability. Once a model is ten or more years old, some parts become hard to find.
- Repeat failures. A second major repair within a year or two is often a sign to stop investing.
- Removal cost. Replacing also means paying, or arranging, to get rid of the old unit.
Get a real number before deciding
The 50% rule only works if you know the actual repair price. Many technicians apply the diagnostic fee to the repair if you go ahead. For a longer look at the decision from a technician’s point of view, see the repair-or-replace guide from SmartFix Appliance Repair.