Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Recommendation
Replace it
Annual cost if you repair
$291.67
Annual cost if you replace
$163.57
Repair as % of replacement (50% rule)
34.5%
Remaining life if repaired (years)
3.0
Lifetime energy savings from a new unit
$1,120.00
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter repair quote ($).
- 2Enter new appliance cost installed ($).
- 3Enter current age (years).
- 4Enter typical lifespan (years).
- 5Enter current annual energy cost ($).
- 6Enter new unit annual energy cost ($).
- 7Read your recommendation on the right — it updates as you type.
- 8Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
The 50% rule says replace if the repair costs more than half of a new unit. Adding energy savings and remaining life usually pushes the decision toward replacement sooner than people expect.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Repair quote: 380 $
- New appliance cost installed: 1100 $
- Current age: 11 years
- Typical lifespan: 14 years
- Current annual energy cost: 165 $
- New unit annual energy cost: 85 $
Results
- Recommendation: Replace it
- Annual cost if you repair: $291.67
- Annual cost if you replace: $163.57
- Repair as % of replacement (50% rule): 34.5%
- Remaining life if repaired (years): 3
- Lifetime energy savings from a new unit: $1,120.00
What each field means
Inputs
- Repair quote ($)
- The repair quote used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 380 $ so you have a working example on load.
- New appliance cost installed ($)
- The new appliance cost installed used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 1100 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Current age (years)
- The current age used in the calculation, measured in years. Starts at 11 years so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–40 years.
- Typical lifespan (years)
- The typical lifespan used in the calculation, measured in years. Starts at 14 years so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 3–40 years.
- Current annual energy cost ($)
- The current annual energy cost used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 165 $ so you have a working example on load.
- New unit annual energy cost ($)
- The new unit annual energy cost used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 85 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Recommendation
- Returned as a plain value and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Annual cost if you repair
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Annual cost if you replace
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Repair as % of replacement (50% rule)
- Returned as a percentage. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Remaining life if repaired (years)
- Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Lifetime energy savings from a new unit
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
How does the appliance repair vs replace calculator work?
The 50% rule says replace if the repair costs more than half of a new unit. Adding energy savings and remaining life usually pushes the decision toward replacement sooner than people expect. The underlying maths is: Compare repair cost over remaining life with new unit cost plus energy over full life.
What do I need to enter?
6 values: repair quote, new appliance cost installed, current age, typical lifespan, current annual energy cost, and new unit annual energy cost. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move.
What does the recommendation result mean?
It is returned as a plain value and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds.
Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?
Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser.
How accurate is the result?
It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
Who is this tool for?
It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Repair or Replace Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/home-appliance-replacement
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/home-appliance-replacement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Repair or Replace Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Repair or Replace Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/home-appliance-replacement) (2026).