Repair or Replace

Prices checked 2026-08-28

Repair quote ($)

Replacement + install ($)

Age of unit (years)

Expected life (years)

Yearly saving if replaced ($)

REPAIR IT

repair cost as % of a new unit

The repair is 27% of a new unit and the appliance has roughly 5 year(s) of expected life left. Fixing it is the economical call. A new unit would save about $45/year in running costs, so keep repairing until that pays back in under 5 years.

26.7%repair ÷ replace

61.5%life used up

5years of life left

14.7yupgrade payback

Decision rule: repair when the fix costs under 50% of a replacement and the unit is under 70% through its expected life.

The two-number rule

Repair when the fix costs under half of a replacement and the unit is under 70 percent through its expected life. Both have to be true. A cheap repair on an appliance at year 12 of 13 is just a deposit on the next failure.

Two exceptions

If the appliance is out of warranty and the failure is a known systemic defect, replace. If it is a discontinued model whose parts are already scarce, replace regardless of the ratio – you are buying the last of a shrinking part supply at whatever it costs.

How long each appliance should last

Appliance	Expected life	Our rule	Replace cost
Clothes dryer	13 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Washing machine	11 years	replace past 50% of life	cost guide
Refrigerator	14 years	replace past 45% of life	cost guide
Dishwasher	10 years	replace past 45% of life	cost guide
Water heater	11 years	replace past 40% of life	cost guide
Furnace	18 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Air conditioner	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Oven	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Stove	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Microwave	9 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Freezer	14 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Garbage disposal	10 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Ice maker	8 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Heat pump	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Boiler	20 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Water softener	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Sump pump	10 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Garage door opener	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Thermostat	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Range hood	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Dehumidifier	8 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Humidifier	5 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Space heater	6 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Toilet	25 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Faucet	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Dishwasher drain	10 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Washer drain	10 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
EV charger	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Generator	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Air handler	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Tankless water heater	15 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide
Wine cooler	12 years	replace past 35% of life	cost guide

Life figures are national averages from manufacturer and consumer-report data. Heavy use, hard water and cheap installation all shorten them.

Important: FixForesight publishes national cost ranges from public data. It is not a contractor, and this is not a quote. Get two local quotes before you authorise work.
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