What is the average lifespan for a refrigerator
David Craig
Updated on April 16, 2026
Compared to some home appliances, refrigerators actually have a pretty lengthy lifespan. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders, the average fridge lasts about 13 years — longer than freezers, dishwashers, trash compactors, and even the typical washing machine.
When should I replace my refrigerator?
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.
How do you know if your refrigerator is dying?
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.
Which brand of refrigerator lasts the longest?
Whirlpool. Refrigerators from Whirlpool tend to be highly regarded for their durability and quality. Many households are loyal to Whirlpool, as their fridges last longer than many brands and don’t require as many repairs.Is it worth repairing a 7 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.
Why do refrigerators not last as long?
Once it gets really dirty—refrigerator coils covered in dust, an oven caked with burned-on food—then it not only takes longer to clean but degrades the performance of the appliance itself. That means it may not last as long as it could when given regular attention.
Why do old refrigerators last forever?
The kind of appliance and how it’s being used also plays a role in how long it will likely last. “A refrigerator has a longer life than a laundry washer because there aren’t a lot of working parts. With a washing machine, especially with a younger family, the life expectancy drops,” Garrett said.
What is the most reliable refrigerator brand 2021?
- Bosch. Bosch makes great tools and they make great appliances as well. …
- Electrolux. A real underdog, Electrolux has been around since 1919, and they sell a wide range of refrigerators that will serve most residential kitchens very well. …
- KitchenAid. …
- LG. …
- Samsung. …
- Whirlpool.
Which refrigerators have the most problems?
Side-by-Side refrigerators are the most popular models but also the most likely to have repair problems. Kenmore refrigerators are produced by many manufacturers such as Whirlpool, GE, LG, Frigidaire, Samsung & Others.
What is the most reliable refrigerator in 2021?- #1 LG 26.2-Cubic-Foot Smart French Door LFXS26973 Refrigerator.
- #2 Samsung 27.7-Cubic-Foot Four-Door RF28R7551 Refrigerator.
- #3 Whirlpool 25.2-Cubic-Foot French Door WRF535SMH Refrigerator.
- #3 Café 27.8-Cubic-Foot Smart Four-Door CVE28D Refrigerator.
What are the signs of a bad refrigerator compressor?
- Bills. Compressors create noise and run less efficiently as they start to fail. …
- Intermittent Running. In hot months when the compressor must run harder than usual to cool the refrigerator, the compressor tends to overheat. …
- Cooling Failure. …
- Frost. …
- Noise.
How do I know if my refrigerator compressor is not working?
How can I tell if my refrigerator compressor is not working? … Your refrigerator compressor is responsible for that humming sound. So, if the sound stops for good, or if the sound goes from faint to a constant or very loud humming noise that does not shut off, it may be a sign the compressor is broken or malfunctioning.
What breaks a refrigerator?
Compressor motors tend to break down mainly due to two reasons. Firstly, in the case that your refrigerator is too old and the motor has probably ended its useful life; secondly, the compressor motor may become over-heated in case of heavy usage (due to overstuffing as discussed earlier) and stop functioning.
What is the average cost of a new refrigerator?
Average Cost of a Refrigerator Refrigerators typically cost between $1,000 and $2,000, but prices vary based on the type you get. A brushed steel, Energy Star fridge with a freezer on top is $500; a stainless steel Whirlpool model with French doors is $1,900.
Is it worth replacing a compressor on a refrigerator?
While yes, you can certainly repair a damaged compressor, it may not be worth it. … Most technicians will agree that replacing the whole refrigerator itself may be wiser than repairing or even replacing the compressor. After all, every subsequent repair will make your refrigerator more liable to break.
Can a refrigerator last 40 years?
But what about how long the appliance lasts before it ends up in a landfill? If an old refrigerator or freezer would last 40–50 years before being replaced, and the new ones are barely lasting 10–15 years, that means we are making 3–4 times the number of appliances we used to.
Do expensive appliances last longer?
Besides the obvious cost, luxury kitchen appliances offer consumers state of the art features with modern design. They also offer a higher return on investment and they generally last longer. Luxury kitchen appliances use better parts and go through more rigorous testing to ensure their product will last.
What is the average life expectancy of an electric range?
Similar to gas ranges, electric ranges are relatively hardy appliances that can be expected to last up to 13 years.
Do bottom freezer refrigerators have more problems?
Bottom freezers are generally more roomier than top freezers and can adapt better to larger frozen items, such as that massive bird we mentioned earlier. … This compressor which generates heat while working hard to cool the fridge and freezer compartments is tucked away underneath the unit in modern refrigerators.
What is the life expectancy of a side by side refrigerator?
Keeping It Like New. If you like it side-by-side, this type of refrigerator is not going to let you down any more than other frosty food keepers on the market. With an estimated life span of 8-12 years, most major reliable brands function pretty well with regular maintenance.
Why are Samsung refrigerators so bad?
Thousands of Samsung refrigerator owners are now part of a class action lawsuit. They claim the appliances are defective, blaming the ice makers. The suit says the problems result in leaking and slush, over-freezing in the ice compartment, water leakage and fan noise. Sproul has had those issues since 2017.
Which refrigerator brand is least reliable?
Least Reliable Refrigerators: Bosch and Frigidaire Despite a neutral rating from Puls, Bosch was among the brands that Consumer Reports said buyers would do well with. CR also gave Thermador, LG, Kenmore, Sub-Zero/Wolf and Amana got positive ratings.
Which is the best refrigerator brand in the world?
- Whirlpool: Whirlpool has always been a trusted brand when it comes to home appliances. …
- LG: LG is an electronics company that offers various top-notch home appliances, including some of the best refrigerators. …
- Samsung: …
- KitchenAid: …
- GE Appliances: …
- Panasonic: …
- Kelvinator: …
- Bosch:
What is the best month to buy a refrigerator?
The best time to buy appliances is when new models roll out: washers, dryers, and dishwashers in September and October, refrigerators in May, and ranges/ovens in January. When manufacturers unveil the latest models, retailers reduce prices on models from previous years at these times to create more room for new models.
What refrigerator has the least problems?
A: From our research, the refrigerator brands that are the most reliable are LG, GE, Whirlpool and Samsung. It makes sense that these would be the same companies we listed as manufacturing the refrigerators with the fewest problems.
Is Costco a good place to buy a refrigerator?
Costco. Costco is one of the best places to buy appliances, thanks to perks like extended warranty coverage, a 90-day return window, and free delivery on most appliances.
What brand of refrigerator is made in the USA?
Whirlpool Refrigerators As the largest of all the American Appliance companies, the answer is yes. Based in Benton Charter Township, Michigan, with major manufacturing centers throughout North America, Whirlpool employs tens of thousands of American workers. The company has been making refrigerators since 1955.
Which French door refrigerator brand is the most reliable?
- #1 LG 26.2-Cubic-Foot Smart French Door LFXS26973 Refrigerator.
- #1 Samsung 27.7-Cubic-Foot Four-Door RF28R7551 Refrigerator.
- #3 Whirlpool 25.2-Cubic-Foot French Door WRF535SMH Refrigerator.
- #4 Café 27.8-Cubic-Foot Smart Four-Door CVE28D Refrigerator.
What style refrigerator has the most space?
Depending on the size of the kitchen, the best refrigerator is the one with the most storage space. French-door models have the least space efficiency of all models, while models with the freezer on top have the greatest amount of storage space.
Why has my fridge stopped humming?
Yes, your fridge can be too silent. If your refrigerator isn’t even making so much as a gentle hum, that’s another indication your compressor might be damaged, which will affect your fridge’s cooling capabilities. To troubleshoot, unplug the fridge and plug it back in.
Should I be able to hear my fridge running?
When running, your refrigerator should make noise, but it should be a rather unobtrusive humming noise that doesn’t disrupt your other activities. … Ideally, you should only be able to hear your refrigerator running when in the same room as the appliance.
