{
  "slug": "repair-vs-replace-appliance",
  "title": "Repair vs Replace Appliance Calculator",
  "heading": "Repair vs Replace Appliance Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/repair-vs-replace-appliance",
  "summary": "Use the classic 50% rule plus energy savings to decide whether to fix it or buy new.",
  "description": "The common rule of thumb is to replace an appliance if repair costs exceed 50% of a new one's price, but that ignores how old the appliance already is and how much a new, more efficient model would save on utility bills. This calculator weighs repair cost against remaining expected life, and factors in annual energy savings from a new efficient model to give a more complete answer than the 50% rule alone.",
  "formula": "Repair Value = New Price × (Remaining Life ÷ Typical Life). Replace Advantage = New Price − Repair Cost − (Annual Energy Savings × Remaining Life).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=repair-vs-replace-appliance",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "repairCost",
      "label": "Repair cost quote",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 350,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "newPrice",
      "label": "New replacement price",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 1100,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "applianceAge",
      "label": "Current appliance age",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 9,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "typicalLife",
      "label": "Typical lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 13,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "annualEnergySavings",
      "label": "Annual energy savings if replaced",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "winner",
      "label": "Better financial move",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "repairRatio",
      "label": "Repair cost as % of new price",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "totalRepairPathCost",
      "label": "Net repair path cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "totalReplacePathCost",
      "label": "Net replace path cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Repair cost quote: 350 $",
      "New replacement price: 1100 $",
      "Current appliance age: 9 yrs",
      "Typical lifespan: 13 yrs",
      "Annual energy savings if replaced: 60 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Better financial move: Repair",
      "Repair cost as % of new price: 32%",
      "Net repair path cost: $278",
      "Net replace path cost: $860"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter repair cost quote ($).",
      "Enter new replacement price ($).",
      "Enter current appliance age (yrs).",
      "Enter typical lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter annual energy savings if replaced ($).",
      "Read your better financial move on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "repairCost": 200,
        "newPrice": 650,
        "applianceAge": 5,
        "typicalLife": 8,
        "annualEnergySavings": 35
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "repairCost": 350,
        "newPrice": 1100,
        "applianceAge": 9,
        "typicalLife": 13,
        "annualEnergySavings": 60
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "repairCost": 550,
        "newPrice": 1750,
        "applianceAge": 14,
        "typicalLife": 21,
        "annualEnergySavings": 95
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Is the 50% rule still useful?",
      "a": "Yes as a fast gut-check — if repair cost is under 50% of replacement price and the unit is under half its typical lifespan, repairing is almost always right. This tool adds nuance for appliances near end of life."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much do energy-efficient models actually save?",
      "a": "Refrigerators and washers from 10+ years ago can use 30-50% more energy than current Energy Star models — $40-90/year in savings is common depending on your utility rates and usage."
    },
    {
      "q": "What if the appliance is under warranty?",
      "a": "Repair almost always wins if warranty covers most of the cost — plug in the out-of-pocket repair amount, not the full repair value, to get an accurate comparison."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/diy-vs-contractor-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/repair-vs-replace-roof"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Repair vs Replace Appliance Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/repair-vs-replace-appliance)"
}