What is the life expectancy of a refrigerator? (2023)

What is the average life of a good refrigerator?

Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any of the other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge that's already on its way out.

According to the United States Department of Energy, refrigerators last approximately 12 years. At that point, it's likely time to replace it. Of course, if your refrigerator is not energy-efficient, you may want to consider replacing it before it stops working.

How long do GE refrigerators last? The lifespan of a good and well-maintained refrigerator can be anywhere from 14 to 26 years. With proper support, GE refrigerators may last a bit longer. Ensure you read the refrigerator guide and take care proper care of your refrigerator.

LG: The major brand with the highest satisfaction

Among refrigerators from the five major brands, LG fridges seem to make their owners the happiest.

Top-freezers, as a category, have the highest predicted reliability. Despite these high marks, most top-freezer brands were rated low in terms of owner satisfaction. Within the category, five of the nine brands earned top-notch ratings for predicted reliability: Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool.

Most refrigerators emit a gentle hum, but if your appliance has recently started buzzing loudly, the motor might be struggling to work properly. Try unplugging the fridge and plugging it back into the socket. If the buzzing doesn't stop, your fridge is probably dying.

But, as a good rule of thumb, if you have multiple faulty parts or if your refrigerator is over ten years old, it is probably time to replace it. Consumer Reports recommends replacing your refrigerator if the cost to repair it is more than half the price of buying a new one.

A loose or torn gasket (or one caked with gunk) doesn't seal tightly. This wastes energy and causes the fridge to work harder, shortening its lifespan. Make it a habit to clean the gasket with warm water twice a year to remove any residue. Then check the seal for tears and replace it if you find any.

How can I increase the lifespan of my refrigerator?

Heavier Items on the Bottom

Frozen foods can be weighty, especially frozen turkeys and hams. Because your freezer is on the bottom, removing these items will require more work. This can be a safety concern for seniors and anyone who has trouble bending and lifting heavier objects.

Bottom freezer refrigerators of all brands with an ice dispenser are more likely to have problems than bottom freezer refrigerators that do not have an ice dispenser. Side-by-Side refrigerators are the most popular models but also the most likely to have repair problems.

Samsung refrigerators can have a lifespan of up to 15 years. Q: Is Samsung a good brand for refrigerators? Samsung is consistently ranked one of the most reliable refrigerator brands by appliance industry experts.

How many years does an LG fridge last? On average, a refrigerator typically lasts around 12 to 13 years, including models from LG.

Whirlpool. It is a well-known American brand with a large selection of refrigerators, including french doors, side-by-side models, top freezer models, and many others. The premium design and unique features of the Whirlpool refrigerator set it apart from competing brands.

General Electric Refrigerators

A list of American refrigerator brands wouldn't be complete without General Electric. Founded in 1899, GE manufactures everything from refrigerators to medical technology, many of which originate from their main production facility in Louisville, Kentucky.

The three most common reasons for failures that we see as a result of wear & tear are a mechanically locked compressor, failure of the fan motor, and dirty condenser coils. The refrigerator's compressor is the heart of the cooling system; without a working compressor the refrigerator cannot function.

In addition to broad economic factors that affect all durable goods, appliance lifespans are shorter for a few specific reasons. The first is that production of individual components is frequently outsourced to the least-expensive third-party manufacturers.

Why do old refrigerators last so long?

The appliances of days gone by were built for longevity. They were made using simple parts — and perhaps more importantly — parts that were fixable. In fact, appliances manufactured in the 1970s often last from 30 to 50 years.

So, if you're looking for a low-cost refrigerator, Whirlpool is your best option. Furthermore, we discovered that LG has the most energy-efficient refrigerator models in our Whirlpool vs LG comparison, and LG refrigerators are the way to choose if you require greater storage capacity.

Unplug your refrigerator

Disconnect your fridge from its power source by removing the power cord from the wall outlet. You may hear some whooshing or knocking noises after you do so; that's normal. Make sure your fridge stays unplugged for several minutes, otherwise the reset won't work.

Ozkuzey says generally retailers offer the best deals on appliances around Independence Day, Labor Day and Black Friday, with Black Friday being the biggest of the three. "You can find more moderate savings around Memorial Day and Christmas, and minor savings around Martin Luther King Jr.

Checking the Freon

With your ear pressed to the refrigerator, you should hear a faint hissing or gurgling noise. The Freon will hiss and gurgle through the fridge's capillary tubes as the pressure equalizes within the system. If you do not hear the hiss and gurgle, you may be low on Freon.

Control Board. The control board is one of the most expensive refrigerator parts to fix, at between $80 and $800, because no part of the appliance can function without it.

A mid-range refrigerator costs between $1,000 and $2,000. With this budget, you shouldn't have any issues finding a model that suits your style. In addition, you can get additional features like an ice dispenser and temperature control.

In most cases, your 20-year-old fridge will be worth repairing. There are some instances where you should think about replacing it, but for the most part, you can keep your older fridge running with minor repairs here and there.

That said, modern compressors are both durable and efficient. Although plans for a replacement should start around eight years of service, a well-maintained compressor can reach to ten years and beyond.

Estimates of the life cycle of kitchen appliances vary. For example, refrigerators can last anywhere from 14 to 27 years, according to Phoebe Knight of It is Fixed Appliance Repair in Sandy Springs, GA. Freezers tend to last for a little less long, from 12 to 20 years.

Can a refrigerator last 25 years?

A typical refrigerator has a 10- to 20-year lifespan. The longer you have had your refrigerator, the greater the potential repair cost, says The Money Pit. If the refrigerator is less than eight years old, consider repair. If the refrigerator is more than 15 years old, consider replacement.

The compressor is much closer on a bottom freezer unit, so it can be harder to keep heat out. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, top freezers use about 10 to 25 percent less energy than bottom freezers, which helps reduce your energy bill, electricity consumption, and carbon footprint.

Top freezers have more room than bottom freezers in comparably-sized refrigerators. They are also the most energy efficient. The Department of Energy says top freezers use up to 25 percent less energy than side-by-side or bottom freezers, so they save money.

The appliances' Energy Star ratings and particular usage will vary depending on make and model, but it's a safe bet that a top-freezer fridge is more energy efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, refrigerators with top freezers use 10 to 25 percent less energy than ones with bottom freezers.

A poor man's fridge, the earthen pots keep bodies and bellies of many cool during the hot months.

The average repair on a French door refrigerator is 26 percent more costly than the average repair for side-by-side units. Failures include malfunction of the crushed-ice maker, the bottom freezer not maintaining temperatures, or the icemaker leaking and making loud noises.

Unfortunately, many LG users have reported that they have had problems with their compressors. The most common culprit is a faulty seal, which can stop the compressor from being able to run. So, if your fridge is running but not cooling, then there is a good chance you have an issue with your compressor.

There have been enormous leaps forward in the last decade in terms of the efficiency of condensers and coils on refrigerators, to the point that the energy savings on a refrigerator made in the late 2010s can save you $75 a year or more compared to a refrigerator made in the 1990s.

Historically, fridges with freezers on top or bottom tend to last the longest, and those from well-known refrigerator brands like Whirlpool and LG tend to top lists for most reliable. The fewer parts that can fail translates into a model that could potentially last longer and cost less to repair.

Is it worth repairing a 10 year old refrigerator?

But, as a good rule of thumb, if you have multiple faulty parts or if your refrigerator is over ten years old, it is probably time to replace it. Consumer Reports recommends replacing your refrigerator if the cost to repair it is more than half the price of buying a new one.

Most refrigerators emit a gentle hum, but if your appliance has recently started buzzing loudly, the motor might be struggling to work properly. Try unplugging the fridge and plugging it back into the socket. If the buzzing doesn't stop, your fridge is probably dying.

The appliances of days gone by were built for longevity. They were made using simple parts — and perhaps more importantly — parts that were fixable. In fact, appliances manufactured in the 1970s often last from 30 to 50 years.

The three most common reasons for failures that we see as a result of wear & tear are a mechanically locked compressor, failure of the fan motor, and dirty condenser coils. The refrigerator's compressor is the heart of the cooling system; without a working compressor the refrigerator cannot function.

Resetting the compressor might eliminate frequent running or poor cooling issues. Pull the unit away from the wall and unplug it. Check the owner's manual for any “off” or “zero” settings in your fridge and freezer and set them to off or zero.

A mid-range refrigerator costs between $1,000 and $2,000.

Compared to their lower-cost counterparts, luxury appliances are built with superior materials for a higher quality performance meant to last a lifetime.

Liquid refrigerant tends to ping and degrade the compressor motor insulation over time, resulting in a motor failure. Liquid refrigerant also tends to push compressor oil out of the compressor and into the system resulting in a lubrication breakdown.

When in doubt, throw it out. Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers) after 4 hours without power or a cold source like dry ice. Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture.

What happens when a fridge dies?

According to the USDA, a refrigerator without power can keep food safe for consumption for up to four hours. After that time period is up, any perishable items will need to be either thrown out, eaten immediately or transferred to an ice-filled cooler.