Replacing a refrigerator can make a serious dent in your savings, as a brand-new refrigerator could cost anywhere from $900 to $8,000. Most people avoid replacing their appliances until it’s an absolute must. Repairing your refrigerator can add years of life, but some problems are too expensive to warrant repair over replacement, especially if you can’t perform the repair yourself. To help you determine if you should start fridge shopping, we’ve listed the top signs that it’s time to replace your fridge.

Signs You Should Replace Your Fridge

If your refrigerator stops working, there’s a chance it could be repaired. However, with appliance service call costs approaching the price of a new refrigerator, you may be better off buying a new one. Here are some telltale signs that it’s time to replace your refrigerator.

1. Strange or New Sounds

Refrigerators make noise, even brand-new ones. They make sounds when the compressor kicks on, when the fans run, and when ice drops from the ice maker.

However, new or strange sounds coming from your refrigerator often indicate an underlying problem within the appliance. Even a noticeable increase in the fridge’s normal sounds could indicate a fault. On the other hand, if your refrigerator never makes any sound, it probably isn’t working at all.

2. Premature Food Spoilage

If you’re noticing food spoilage before the listed expiration date, it could be that your refrigerator is struggling to maintain a low enough temperature to keep your food fresh.

While it could be that the refrigerator isn’t cooling properly, it could also be due to something as simple as a faulty door gasket.

3. High Temperatures

Check your refrigerator’s temperature readout and monitor it. Or, if your appliance isn’t fitted with a readout, place a thermometer inside the fridge. If the appliance is failing to reach the set temperature even with the doors closed, it’s likely malfunctioning.

4. Excess Frost

Frost buildup in your refrigerator is a key indicator that something is amiss. Now, a little bit of frost is to be expected, especially in the freezer. However, large amounts of frost buildup that never clear are signs of a larger issue.

Sometimes, all it takes to clear the frost buildup is replacing the door gasket, the evaporator fan, or cleaning off the dust on your coils. If these simple fixes don’t keep the frost at bay, it could be a problem with your defrost heater or compressor, which is often too expensive to justify repairing.

5. High Energy Bills

It can be hard to pinpoint, but your refrigerator could be to blame for higher-than-usual energy bills. This higher energy usage is often caused by the refrigerator’s struggle to cool efficiently, which causes it to run the cooling cycle more often than it should.

If you suspect your refrigerator is running more often than it should, simply pay attention to the sound of the motor. If you’re consistently hearing it run without turning off, it’s likely the cause of your high energy bills.

6. Condensation

If you notice your refrigerator is “sweating,” that is, accumulating condensation on its exterior, it could be due to a faulty or worn door gasket. Luckily, if your refrigerator isn’t too old, you can often replace the faulty gasket.

7. Excess Heat Emission

Refrigerators produce heat as they run, which is often emitted behind the appliance. If you notice that your refrigerator is either getting too hot or never cooling down, there’s a good chance it’s struggling to operate. If this excess heat is paired with poor cooling, you know you have an issue.

8. Age

Don’t replace your refrigerator just because it’s getting old. However, if your fridge is over 10 years old and beginning to malfunction, it will probably make more sense to replace it than drop a single cent on repairs.

What to Consider When Buying a New Fridge

So, you’ve determined it’s time to replace your fridge. Here are some things you should consider when choosing your new fridge.

• Energy Usage: Depending on the age of your current fridge, you’ll likely lower your energy usage no matter what replacement you choose, as new fridges are simply more energy efficient than older fridges. To maximize your savings, look for Energy Star certification, which indicates energy savings beyond the federal standard.
• Budget: As stated above, refrigerator prices vary greatly. Determine your budget before you start browsing the latest models.
• Size: Refrigerators aren’t one-size-fits-all appliances. If your current refrigerator fits your space, use its dimensions to choose a new fridge. If it doesn’t fit your space, this is your time to buy the right-size refrigerator. Make sure you factor in space behind and around the refrigerator for proper ventilation.
• Features: Refrigerator features like icemakers, water dispensers, screens, adjustable shelves, and more are nice to have, but many of them are prone to breaking. Choose your features according to your wants and needs and skip anything unnecessary that might prematurely break.