Every technician gets asked the same question at the end of a diagnostic: "Is it worth fixing?" The honest answer is a calculation, not an opinion. Here is the one we use.
The 50% rule
Repair if the quoted repair costs less than 50% of a comparable new unit. Replace if it costs more.
That is the baseline, and it holds up remarkably well. A $280 repair on a $1,400 refrigerator is easy. A $900 repair on a $1,100 washer is not.
Two refinements make it accurate:
- Add the age factor. Multiply the appliance's age by 10% and subtract that from your repair threshold. A 7-year-old machine gets a 50% − 70% = effectively low threshold; treat anything past the expected service life as replace-leaning.
- Count the second repair. If this is the second significant failure in two years, the machine is telling you something. Replace.
Expected service life
| Appliance | Expected life | Repair-friendly window |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (standard) | 12–15 years | Under 10 years |
| Built-in / Sub-Zero | 18–25 years | Almost always repair |
| Top-load washer | 10–12 years | Under 8 years |
| Front-load washer | 10–13 years | Under 9 years |
| Electric dryer | 12–14 years | Under 10 years |
| Gas dryer | 12–15 years | Under 10 years |
| Dishwasher | 9–12 years | Under 7 years |
| Range / oven (electric) | 13–15 years | Under 11 years |
| Microwave (OTR) | 8–10 years | Under 5 years |
| Commercial reach-in | 8–12 years | Under 7 years |
| Commercial ice machine | 10–15 years | Under 10 years with PM history |
Typical repair cost ranges
These are Maryland and DC market ranges, parts and labor, for planning purposes:
| Repair | Range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic service call | $98 |
| Door gasket / seal | $140–$320 |
| Water inlet valve | $180–$340 |
| Drain pump | $190–$380 |
| Evaporator or condenser fan motor | $200–$400 |
| Defrost system (heater, thermostat, board) | $250–$520 |
| Igniter / bake element | $190–$360 |
| Drum bearings (washer) | $500–$900 |
| Control board | $320–$680 |
| Sealed system / compressor (residential) | $900–$1,600 |
| Sealed system / compressor (commercial) | $1,500–$4,000 |
The five factors that flip the decision
1. Is it a sealed-system repair?
Compressor, condenser, evaporator, or refrigerant leak repairs on a residential unit over 8 years old almost always lose to replacement. On a built-in or commercial unit, they almost always win, because replacement means cabinetry or a $9,000 box.
2. What tier is the appliance?
A $3,800 Sub-Zero, Thermador, or Miele unit justifies repairs that would be absurd on a $549 builder-grade machine. High-end parts availability is better, service life is longer, and replacement cost is brutal.
3. Is it built in or integrated?
Replacing a built-in refrigerator, a slide-in range, or an under-counter unit often means cabinet modification. Add $400–$1,500 of hidden cost to the "replace" column before comparing.
4. What is the energy delta?
If your refrigerator predates 2001, a new one will cut its electricity use by roughly 40–60%. On an always-on appliance that is real money — often $80–$140 a year. Washers and dishwashers show a smaller but real water-and-energy gain. Dryers and ranges show almost none, so efficiency should not drive those decisions.
5. Is the part still available?
Once a manufacturer discontinues a control board, the repair path narrows to used or refurbished boards. If your technician says the part is NLA (no longer available), the decision is made for you.
Worked examples
Refrigerator, 6 years old, $1,300 new, failed evaporator fan at $310. Repair is 24% of replacement, well inside the service life. Repair.
Front-load washer, 11 years old, $1,050 new, drum bearing at $780. Repair is 74% of replacement on a machine at end of life. Replace.
Sub-Zero built-in, 16 years old, $9,500 replacement, sealed-system leak at $1,900. Repair is 20% of replacement, and replacing means cabinetry work. Repair.
Dishwasher, 9 years old, $700 new, control board at $460. Repair is 66% of replacement, past expected life, and boards rarely fail alone. Replace.
Commercial reach-in, 5 years old, $4,200 new, condenser fan motor plus gaskets at $620. Repair is 15% of replacement on a unit with years left. Repair, and start a PM contract.
Do not decide before you have a real diagnosis
The most expensive mistake in this whole process is replacing a working appliance because of a misdiagnosis, or paying for a $1,400 compressor on a machine whose actual problem was a $0 blocked condenser coil.
Get the fault identified first. Run a free Maya AI diagnostic to see a ranked cause list with cost estimates for your exact model, then apply the 50% rule to a number you can trust.
Then choose your path
- Safe, mechanical, well-documented repair? The DIY Pass gives you the step-by-step procedure and the right part numbers.
- Sealed system, gas, or board-level work? Book a certified technician — same-day availability across Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia.
- Commercial kitchen? Start with our commercial refrigeration tips and put the unit on a maintenance schedule so this decision comes up less often.
Related reading
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