Cost per year of use
Is it worth fixing? Compare what a repair costs for each extra year of use with what a new one costs for each year of its typical life.
Verdict
Repair it
The repair costs $37.50 a year of use, less than a new one even if it lasts the full 15 years ($46.67 a year).
At 8 years old it is within the typical 5–15 years.
Typical life of a new washing machine: 5–15 years (NAHB 2007: 10 · InterNACHI: 5 to 15).
Common rule of thumb, not a standardReplace when a repair costs more than half the price of a new one. This repair is 21% of the new price, so the rule of thumb says repair.
A repair is worth it when it buys enough extra years. So the calculator divides the repair quote by the years it would give, and the price of a new one by its expected life, and compares the two costs per year of use.
A new one’s life is a range, so its cost per year is a range too. If the repair costs less per year even when a new one lasts the longest, it says repair; if a new one costs less even at the shortest life, it says replace. In between it is a close call, and the break-even shows how long a new one would need to last.
The lifespans come from two named sources and are shown as the range between them. Both are US figures for typical use, so treat them as a rough guide. Neither covers phones, laptops or bikes, so for those we ask you instead of guessing.
| Item | Range used | NAHB 2007 | InterNACHI chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | 5–15 years | 10 (Washers) | 5 to 15 (Washing Machine) |
| Clothes dryer (tumble dryer) | 13 years | 13 (Dryers, Electric; Dryers, Gas) | 13 (Dryer (clothes)) |
| Dishwasher | 9 years | 9 (Dishwashers) | 9 (Dishwasher) |
| Refrigerator, full-size | 9–13 years | 13 (Refrigerators, Standard) | 9 to 13 (Refrigerator) |
| Refrigerator, compact | 9 years | 9 (Refrigerators, Compact) | not listed |
| Freezer | 10–20 years | 11 (Freezers) | 10 to 20 (Freezer) |
| Electric range or cooker | 13–15 years | 13 (Ranges, Electric) | 13 to 15 (Electric Range) |
| Gas range or cooker | 15–17 years | 15 (Ranges, Gas) | 15 to 17 (Gas Range) |
| Microwave oven | 9 years | 9 (Microwave Ovens) | 9 (Microwave Oven) |
| Range hood (cooker hood) | 14 years | 14 (Range/Oven Hoods) | 14 (Range/Oven Hood) |
| Food waste disposer | 12 years | 12 (Disposers, Food Waste) | 12 (Disposal (food waste)) |
| Trash compactor | 6 years | 6 (Compactors) | 6 (Compactor (trash)) |
| Dehumidifier | 8 years | 8 (Dehumidifiers) | 8 (Dehumidifier) |
| Water heater, electric tank | 6–12 years | 11 (Water Heaters, Electric) | 6 to 12 (Water Heater (conventional)) |
| Water heater, gas tank | 6–12 years | 10 (Water Heaters, Gas) | 6 to 12 (Water Heater (conventional)) |
| Window or room air conditioner | 5–10 years | 10 (Air-Conditioners, Room) | 5 to 7 (Air Conditioner (window)) |
| Central air conditioner | 7–15 years | 10–15 (Air Conditioners (HVAC section)) | 7 to 15 (Air Conditioner (central)) |
| Gas furnace | 15–25 years | 18 (Furnaces, Warm-Air, Gas) | 15 to 25 (Furnace) |
| Heat pump | 10–16 years | 16 (Heat Pumps) | 10 to 15 (Heat Pump) |
| Garage door opener | 10–15 years | 10–15 (Garage Door Openers) | 10 to 15 (Garage Door Openers) |
Small tools for everyday thrift.
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Try WebTraceCheckThat is a common rule of thumb, not a standard, and the calculator shows what it would say. It ignores how long each option lasts, so the verdict uses cost per year of use instead: a big repair on a young machine can still be the cheaper choice.
Ask the repairer, and compare the item’s age with its typical life: the hint under the field shows how many years are left if it reaches the top of the range. An item already past the range may not give many more.
Neither source gives a lifespan for them, and we would rather not guess. Choose “Something else” and enter how long you expect a new one to last.
No, only the repair quote, the price of a new one and the years each would give. If a new model would use less energy, or the old one is unreliable, weigh that up alongside the numbers.