Decision calculator

Repair the appliance or replace it?

Compare the cost per expected useful year. The key question is not just how old the appliance is—it is how much useful life the repair is likely to buy.

Do not treat a lifespan estimate as a promise.

Repair quality, prior failures, parts availability, model complexity, and how heavily you use the appliance can change the result.

Step 1

Quick comparison

Use your actual repair quote and realistic replacement cost.

Start here

Appliance typeUsed for context only; it does not change the math.

Appliance ageAge is context; expected remaining life drives the calculation.

years

Repair quoteYour expected out-of-pocket repair cost today.

Replacement priceInclude the model you would realistically buy.

Expected life after repairHow many additional useful years do you believe this repair will buy?

years

Expected life of replacementUse a conservative assumption for the replacement you are considering.

years

Live resultUpdates as the assumptions change

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Repair cost per expected year——

Replace cost per expected year——

Annualized difference—per expected useful year

Repair-life breakeven—Additional useful life needed for the repair to match replacement economics.

What changes the answer?Expected life matters most.

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Test the decision

Move the repair cost and expected repaired life to see how quickly the result changes.

Repair quote$550

Expected life after repair3 years

Quick estimate assumptions

Operating cost and replacement extras are editable below.

Current operating cost: —New operating cost: —Replacement extras: —

Step 2 · optional

Advanced assumptions

Add annual operating cost, delivery, installation, disposal, and other required replacement costs.

Show details

For many appliances, energy savings are smaller than the purchase and repair costs. Use the replacement's EnergyGuide estimate when available, but remember it is based on standardized assumptions.

Current appliance

Annual operating costEnergy and water cost attributable to this appliance.

Replacement

Annual operating costUse the EnergyGuide estimate as a starting point, adjusted for your local rates if possible.

Delivery + installation + disposalInclude required costs beyond the appliance sticker price.

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Read the full guide →

Visible assumptions

The expected life after repair is explicit instead of hidden inside a rule of thumb.

Checkable math

Each path is shown as cost per expected useful year, including operating cost.

No fake precision

If the annualized costs are close, reliability, downtime, and convenience may matter more.