Your refrigerator is easily the most used appliance that you have in your home. It runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It never stops. Which means problems will eventually occur. Refrigerator repairs can be a costly expense. Depending on the issue, it can cost anywhere from $100 to $1000 to get it fixed, with the average price coming in around $300. In this blog post, we will take a look at the most common refrigerator issues and how much they cost to repair.

Compressor

One of the most common refrigerator issues is a compressor that has gone bad. The compressor is what helps to keep your refrigerator cool by moving refrigerant throughout your fridge. When it goes out, you will start to experience problems with cooling and your refrigerator will become increasingly louder. Another sign is if the light does not turn on when you open the fridge. A new compressor can cost anywhere from $300 to $500, depending on the brand and model of refrigerator. Typically this is one of the most costly fixes of a faulty refrigerator and consideration may need to be given on whether just getting a new refrigerator is a better option.

Control Board

Another common refrigerator issue is a bad control board. The control board is responsible for regulating the compressor, fans and other electrical components in your refrigerator. When it goes out, your refrigerator will completely stop working, which makes for a pretty easy diagnosis of what the problem is. Unfortunately a bad control board means that it will need to be completely replaced. A new control board for a high end refrigerator can cost upwards of $700 dollars. A lower end refrigerator will run around $200 to replace.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the part of your refrigerator that tells it how cold to make the fridge. When this goes out, the temperature of the refrigerator will not be as what you have set the thermostat to. It could be way cooler or hotter than what you want it to be. You may also experience problems with ice buildup on the inside of the freezer and frost on the outside of the refrigerator. A new thermostat for a refrigerator can cost anywhere from $100 to $300.

Coils

The refrigerator coils are responsible for transferring the heat from the refrigerator to the air outside. When they become dirty or clogged, it will cause your refrigerator to work harder and use more energy. This will result in a higher electric bill and could eventually lead to your refrigerator breaking down. Just cleaning the coils will cost around $50 or replacing the coils can cost around $400.

Door Seals

The door seals on your refrigerator are what keep the cold air in and the warm air out. When these start to wear down, it will cause the refrigerator to become less efficient which can cause an increase in your electric bill. You may also find that your food is not staying as cold as it should be. Replacing the door seals can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 plus the cost of labor if an appliance repair company does the replacement.

Ice Maker

The ice maker is the part of your refrigerator responsible for making ice. When it goes out, the most likely result is water leakage from the ice maker and obviously you will not be able to make any ice. The most likely cause of an ice maker not working is the water inlet valve but many time the ice maker is just old and needs to be replaced. For both of these fixes, it will typically cost around $250.

Biggest Factors That Affect the Price of Refrigerator Repair

The biggest factors that affect the price of refrigerator repair are the brand and model of refrigerator, complexity of the issues, cost of parts, and labor charges. Generally speaking, if you have a newer refrigerator with more complex electronics, it will cost more to fix than an older refrigerator with fewer electronic components. The cost of parts will be much higher for newer, higher end refrigerators, but if you have an older model, then the parts may be difficult to find and you might end up having to buy a new appliance anyway.

Labor charges are are also a factor, as many appliance repair service have a typical labor cost depending on appliance and complexity of the issue, where as other companies will charge an hourly rate.

Can I Repair some of these Problems Myself?

In some cases, you may be able to repair refrigerator issues yourself. For example, cleaning the coils or replacing the door seals are tasks that can be completed without any special tools or training. You would just need to pay for the cost of the parts. However, if you are not comfortable working with electricity or have never worked on a refrigerator before, it is best to call in a professional.

Problems such as those with the compressor, control board, and thermostat are best left for your local repair company. Trying to fix something that you don't know how to fix could end up costing more money in the long run or could even damage your refrigerator beyond repair. It is possible you could replace the refrigerator coils yourself or the water inlet valve for your ice maker, and this would definitely save you some money.

Conclusion

Refrigerator repair can be expensive, but there are ways to minimize the cost. Knowing what some of the most common refrigerator problems are and how much they typically cost to fix is a good start. Being proactive about cleaning the coils and checking the seals on a regular basis can help keep your refrigerator running smoothly and may prevent more costly repairs down the road.

A very important decision that homeowners will need to make is whether the repair costs are worth it, or if purchasing a new refrigerator is the better choice. A refrigerator will typically last around 10 to 15 years, so the age of your refrigerator should definitely be considered before getting it repaired.

If you do experience a problem with your refrigerator, don't hesitate to call in a professional for assistance. They will be able to diagnose the issue and provide an estimate for repairing it.