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Efficient and effective refrigerators are one of the great advantages of modern life. If your refrigerator is on the fritz, it is more than an inconvenience—it’s a legitimate problem. From poor temperature regulation and leaks to noises that tell you something isn’t quite right, there are a number of valid reasons for calling a professional to fix your refrigerator. Nationally, the average refrigerator repair cost is $250. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Refrigeration Repair Companies Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Refrigeration Repair Company U Type Defrost Tubular Heater Element
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When you need professional help with your refrigerator, you should hire an HVAC company or appliance repair specialist. With skills and experience working with refrigeration systems, these professionals can help with anything from small fixes to bigger problems.
Standard kitchen refrigerators have an average lifespan of 14 years. With a new refrigerator/freezer combo running anywhere from $800 to $12,000, the fridge repair cost should be much less than the expense for a full replacement.
Although the look and options with mechanical refrigerators have come a long way since they were invented in 1899, the components and mechanisms at work are much the same as they were more than one century ago: Refrigerators stay cool with the use of evaporative refrigerant chemicals. In the process of changing from a liquid to a gas through evaporation, the refrigerant temperature drops—and keeps the box where your food is stored cold, too.
To work effectively, the system needs a compressor, condenser, evaporator, capillary tube, thermostat and sealed refrigerator box so the temperature can be controlled. If any one of these parts is not working, the entire refrigeration process may suffer.
How much it takes to repair your mini fridge depends on the size of your fridge and the severity of the problem. Therefore, mini fridge repairs cost can be as little as $45 and as high as $450 . Common problems like a broken door latch, hinges or thermostat are likely to be on the lower end of the cost range. However, issues like broken compressors or condensers will increase the repair cost. Occasionally, replacing the mini fridge can be more cost-effective than paying for more expensive repairs.
If you are looking for professional help with your refrigerator problem, you may wonder whether you should call an appliance repair specialist or an HVAC technician. The truth is that it depends on the nature of the problem. For a problem that seems to be more directly related to the actual appliance—meaning an issue with the control board or thermostat—then an appliance repair specialist is likely better suited. If the issue is more complex and related to the refrigerant mechanism, then an HVAC technician may be the better candidate.
If you have time, do a preliminary interview with both an appliance repair specialist and an HVAC technician to explain your problem and learn more about their experience with that kind of repair.
When you call a professional to help with a refrigeration system repair, you are paying for both their time and the expense of any parts that are needed for the fix. There is a direct correlation between the ease of the repair and the cost you will pay. The cost may also increase beyond the national average if your refrigerator is old or an uncommon model because both of these scenarios make it hard to find the correct replacement parts.
Water leaking from the refrigerator is a sign that something isn’t right, in addition to creating a hazard for anyone walking by. That’s why it should be addressed as quickly as possible. Fortunately, a DIY fridge repair may be possible for water leaking: In many cases, the culprit is a blocked defrost drain that’s located on the back wall of the refrigerator.
Attempt to unclog the drain by using a pipe cleaner to remove the block and/or draining the hole from the inside with warm water. If you are uncomfortable attempting this or it is unsuccessful at fixing the problem, a professional should be able to help with an average cost of $100 to $440.
Unlike the gas or oil in your car, the refrigerant that keeps your refrigerator running should never run out; it simply keeps cycling through the evaporation process. You may suspect there is a leak if the refrigerator isn’t staying cool. A professional can diagnose and repair a leak for an average cost of $200 to $300. This is not a job that’s possible to DIY.
A noisy refrigerator is more than a nuisance. It’s a sign that your refrigerator is not operating efficiently, which may be costing you your utility bills because it is cycling too often. You can attempt a DIY repair on this by unplugging your refrigerator, moving it away from the wall and cleaning off the condenser coils on the backside of the refrigerator. In many cases, dust and debris on the coils are to blame—and wiping them down will get the fridge back in tip-top shape.
The refrigerator may also be cycling too often if the temperature setting is too low. It’s recommended you keep your refrigerator thermostat set to 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are in that window, but the temperature is still off, the thermostat may be the problem. This is a relatively easy fix or replacement for a professional to make with an average cost of $100 to $440.
If your refrigerator is doing the job of a freezer, there are a few potential problems at play. The good news is that the fix is relatively easy and even possible to DIY in many cases. Start by examining the thermostat settings, door seal and coils. If any of those need to be adjusted or repaired, it may explain why the refrigerator was freezing food items. If you are still uncertain about what is causing the problem, a professional will have the knowledge to troubleshoot other reasons—such as a problem with the damper, control board or thermostat.
Depending on what exactly is the issue, refrigerator repair costs will vary. The cost may also increase beyond the national average if your refrigerator is old or an uncommon model because both of these scenarios make it hard to find the correct replacement parts.
If you are handy with DIYs and willing to address problems with your refrigerator while avoiding major appliance repair costs, you may be able to get the job done. Some relatively easy and straightforward DIY refrigerator repair projects include cleaning the coils, unclogging the defrost drain and fixing a door gasket.
If the issue lies with the mechanical parts of internal components, such as the coils or motor, it is best to call in a refrigerator repair technician. If there is a refrigerant leak, the EPA requires a certified professional to address the problem within 30 days of the leak discovery.
As a good rule of thumb, if your refrigerator is less than eight years old or is a high-end model, it’s better to pay the price for a repair than to get a new refrigerator.
Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Refrigeration Repair Companies Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Refrigeration Repair Company
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Depending on factors like the brand, usage and maintenance, your refrigerator can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
Determining if it is more cost-effective to repair or replace your refrigerator when it is broken is all determined by how severe the problem is. If it is a common problem like replacing a broken seal or thermostat, then the repair cost should be minor in comparison to a new refrigerator cost. If the problem involves a compressor or any other major component, the repair cost may be significant enough to consider replacing the refrigerator altogether.
When it comes to saving money on refrigerator repair, you may want to consider performing regular maintenance like cleaning the condenser coils regularly, keeping the temperature consistent and avoiding overloading it with too much food can assist in expanding your refrigerator’s lifespan.
Emily is a writer specializing in personal finance, real estate and parenting. By demystifying complicated topics ranging from mortgage products to baby stroller options, she hopes to give readers more confidence in their next steps. In addition to Forbes, she works as a copywriter for businesses of all sizes.
Defrost Tubular Heating Element In addition to being a contributing editor for Forbes, Corinne is a dynamic digital professional specializing in copywriting, copy editing and content strategy. With over eight years of experience at Bed Bath and Beyond, she has gained invaluable knowledge and expertise on everything related to the home. In her current role as SEO Editor, Corinne oversees the SEO content strategy for sites such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Bed Bath and Beyond Canada, buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values.