Household Atlas
Household Atlas
Free calculator

Repair or Replace Calculator

Compare a repair quote with the price of a new appliance and how much life the old one has left. Uses typical lifespans for 18 household appliances and systems and the widely used 50 percent rule.

Typical life: 9 years (InterNACHI).

years

The serial number often encodes the build year; the manual or a sticker inside the door may list it.

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Pre-filled with a typical mid-range price. Replace it with a real quote, including installation.

Our read

Repair it

Repair as share of new price
28%
Expected years left
5
Repair cost per year left
$50
New unit cost per year
$100

The repair is 28% of a new dishwasher’s price, and spread over the 5 years it should have left it costs $50 a year against $100 a year for a new one.

How the recommendation is made

The calculator combines two tests that appliance technicians and home inspectors commonly use.

  1. The 50 percent rule.

    If the repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new unit, replacement wins. Near the end of the expected life, the threshold drops to a quarter.

  2. Cost per year of service.

    The repair cost is spread over the years the old unit can be expected to keep running (at least one), and the new unit’s price over its full expected life. If the repair costs more per year of use than a new unit would, replacing is better value.

Results between the two tests are shown as a close call. In that zone, other factors decide: energy efficiency, whether a second part is likely to fail soon, the hassle of a replacement, and whether the brand still supplies parts.

How long household appliances and systems last

Estimated service life under normal use and maintenance, from InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart (tank water heaters also reflect the DOE’s 10 to 15 years).

Appliance or systemTypical lifeWorth repairing until about
Refrigerator 9 to 13 years Year 8, for repairs under 50% of new
Freezer 10 to 20 years Year 11, for repairs under 50% of new
Dishwasher 9 years Year 7, for repairs under 50% of new
Microwave 9 years Year 7, for repairs under 50% of new
Electric range 13 to 15 years Year 11, for repairs under 50% of new
Gas range 15 to 17 years Year 12, for repairs under 50% of new
Garbage disposal 12 years Year 9, for repairs under 50% of new
Washing machine 5 to 15 years Year 8, for repairs under 50% of new
Clothes dryer 13 years Year 10, for repairs under 50% of new
Window air conditioner 5 to 7 years Year 5, for repairs under 50% of new
Dehumidifier 8 years Year 6, for repairs under 50% of new
Water heater (tank) 6 to 15 years Year 8, for repairs under 50% of new
Tankless water heater 10 to 20+ years Year 11, for repairs under 50% of new
Furnace 15 to 25 years Year 15, for repairs under 50% of new
Central air conditioner 7 to 15 years Year 8, for repairs under 50% of new
Heat pump 10 to 15 years Year 9, for repairs under 50% of new
Sump pump 7 years Year 5, for repairs under 50% of new
Garage door opener 10 to 15 years Year 9, for repairs under 50% of new

Frequently asked questions

What is the 50 percent rule for appliances?

If a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new appliance, replacing it is usually the better value. The rule gets stricter as the appliance ages: near the end of its expected life, even a repair of a quarter of the new price is hard to justify.

How long do appliances last on average?

According to InterNACHI’s life expectancy chart, dishwashers and microwaves last about 9 years, refrigerators 9 to 13, dryers about 13, electric ranges 13 to 15 and furnaces 15 to 25. Use, water quality and maintenance shift those numbers in both directions.

Should I count energy savings from a new model?

Yes, if the old unit is very inefficient. A new ENERGY STAR refrigerator or heat pump can cost noticeably less to run than a 15-year-old model. Estimate the yearly difference with our appliance energy cost calculator and subtract it from the new unit’s yearly cost.

Is a repair worth it if the appliance is still under warranty?

If the manufacturer or a home warranty covers the repair, the out-of-pocket cost is what matters. Enter only what you would actually pay.

Sources and method

  1. Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)
  2. Storage Water Heaters U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver (archived copy, 2025)
  3. ENERGY STAR Product Finder ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA)

Last reviewed . Results are estimates for planning; they do not replace an on-site assessment by a qualified professional.