Is a 10 year old refrigerator worth fixing?

Whether a 10 year old refrigerator is worth fixing depends on repair cost, type of failure, energy efficiency, and overall condition, but generally minor repairs are worth it while major sealed system repairs are not. The average refrigerator lifespan is 10 to 15 years, so at 10 years you are at mid-life and many units can last another 3 to 7 years with proper maintenance. The industry 50 percent rule applies: if repair cost exceeds 50 percent of replacement cost, replace it. A new basic top-freezer costs 600 to 1,000 dollars, side-by-side 1,000 to 1,800, and French door 1,500 to 2,800. Minor repairs like replacing a water inlet valve for 150 to 250 dollars, ice maker for 150 to 300 dollars, evaporator fan motor for 150 to 250 dollars, door gasket for 100 to 200 dollars, or control board for 200 to 400 dollars can be worthwhile if the fridge is otherwise in good condition and energy efficient. However, major sealed system repairs like compressor replacement at 400 to 700 dollars, evaporator or condenser leak repair at 400 to 800 dollars, or refrigerant recharge are generally not worth it at 10 years because they are expensive and indicate system wear. Also consider energy efficiency: a 10 year old fridge uses 15 to 20 percent more electricity than new Energy Star models, so replacement can save 50 to 100 dollars per year. If you have had two repairs in last year, replace it.