Point of view of an appliance repair technician from Ottawa, Ontario.
When we choose the new appliance, we want to evaluate the refrigerator lifespan. The refrigerators last about 20 years, depending on the make and maintenance. You could use it more if the spare parts are available and their cost is low.
Here are some topics I will discuss in this article:
- Factors increasing the fridge lifespan.
- Factors decreasing the fridge life expectancy.
- Critical breakdowns and critical factors leading to the end of fridge life.
- How to get a refrigerator that will meet your expectations.
- Why do the modest fridges break down so quickly?
Some theory.
Like any home appliance, refrigerators contain several systems that are installed and work together.
- cooling system (compressor, tubes and freon) works along with the defrost system (heating element and thermostats)
- cold/warm distribution system (fans and dampers)
- fridge cabinet
- doors and door gaskets
- interior parts: bins and shelves, and so on
- controls and user interface
We need the fridge to keep our food in the cold; therefore, any problem with the cooling or electronic systems should be repaired immediately. If the repair is impossible, it will end the fridge’s life. Otherwise, the issues with doors, noise problems and the interior appearance come slowly, and we can continue to use our fridge.
The fridge’s interior and appearance are the most important things for us as users. Any make of refrigerator has the same parts and systems and will keep cooling, but the models of the high-end have a
- quiet compressor and fans
- durable door quality
- best quality materials for bins and shelves
- more efficient cooling system
- more sophisticated user interface
Why do we buy a new fridge?
The popular, inexpensive models are made from less-quality materials.
Look at the interior of a 10-year-old Samsung refrigerator. Will you use it for another 10 years?
One of my clients told me that when he was buying his old fridge, the shop seller wanted to demonstrate the quality of its components. She pooled out the food container, put it on the floor, and started to jump on it. Today, cracked refrigerator shelves are ordinary.
Ecological restrictions could demand the purchase of a new fridge.
Due to ecological restrictions, some of the new technologies reduce refrigerator lifespans. The freon issue is an example. Over the last 30 years, the old refrigerants were banned and replaced with ones with less of a greenhouse gas effect. New ecologically friendly repair methods were installed. Repairing your fridge in Ottawa is challenging if it has a freon leaking issue. No technician will do it because this repair is too complicated and costly. After the eco-friendly regulations were installed to combat climate change, this repair became non-profitable, so we recommend just throwing the fridge away.
We also need to consider the economic aspect of this question. The fabricators are trying to meet customers’ demand for cheap home appliances. That is why they use inexpensive materials and more electronics, which production may easily automatize.
Refrigerators last less because of the repair expenses.
As a rule, you wouldn’t replace an appliance if you could repair it. When appliances get cheaper, and repair costs go up, the average lifespan of appliances shortens quickly.
Repair cost
In my previous article, I explained the breakdown of the appliance repair costs in Ottawa (ON). But why does it cost so much to repair an appliance? Everybody knows that the price should go down when there are more competitors. But this is not our case. In Ottawa, many small competitors pay Google for advertising and marketing companies to promote their websites in Google search results. Did you know that half of the repair invoice goes to marketing?
Spare parts availability
One more issue is the availability of spare parts. My advice is to buy local North American brands (Whirlpool, GE, Maytag) rather than European (Blomberg) or Chinese (Haier, Hisense, Midea) brands. Most overseas brands’ spare parts are either unavailable or back ordered with a waiting time of a few weeks. Although South Korean brands (Samsung, LG) usually have parts available (excluding some electronic components and door mechanisms), South Korean refrigerators use many electronics, making repairing them more complicated.
Some companies offer used and reconditioned refrigerator spare parts. It may be the last chance to extend the life of the fridge.
Spare parts costs
The parts cost is unpredictable. Usually, the most expensive parts are the fridge’s doors, interior parts ( bins) and electronic components (mainboards), which are specific to every model. Therefore, for low-cost refrigerators ($900-1200), faulty electronic control ( $300) will mean the end of life. The refrigerator door could cost about $800. So, even for more expensive refrigerator brands, it will be a critical issue.
Freon and compressor problems would easily cost $1500-2000. That will work only for the most expensive exclusive refrigerators.
Otherwise, the electric parts, like fans, timers, and thermostats, are more affordable. When they are costly, the aftermarket parts are available, too.
Electronic components and the fridge lifespan.
There is a point of view that modern appliances are more fragile because they are more “intelligent” and use more electronic components. Before, you could easily replace certain elements, like a refrigerator defrost timer. That was cheaper than replacing a complete electronic mainboard, where the defrost control is integrated today. The diagnosis of electronic components demands additional qualifications. Not every appliance technician can do it properly.
On the other hand, electronic appliances are much more economical. The electronic system of smart error codes is a remarkable help in appliance troubleshooting. So, if your old refrigerator doesn’t have a defrost system, you can avoid many problems, but you have to defrost it yourself. But this refrigerator will live longer.
The competence of appliance repair technicians is very important. A more qualified repairman will be willing and able to fix significant refrigerator problems, ensuring a longer life.
Can users extend their refrigerator’s life?
One crucial factor is us, the users. How do we use our fridge? How much food do we put in the refrigerator door? Have you ever cleaned your fridge condenser (if you know where it is :)? Is your refrigerator stuck in the closed corner and covered from the top and sides with old newspapers and other staff? The fridge is not a washing machine. It needs air, space, and cleaning for a long life.