![]() ![]() ![]() If you’re unsure what the exact problem is with your refrigerator and you’d like to find out before you commit to hiring a professional, call your manufacturer’s customer service. For things like a faulty compressor, a broken through-the-door icemaker, or an unresponsive control panel, you’ll likely want to hire a pro. As we mentioned above, replacing a door gasket is a relatively straightforward DIY job, as is replacing door shelves, handles, bins, and the optional icemakers found on many top- and bottom-freezers. ![]() If you’ve decided to go the repair route, you’ll need to decide whether you want to attempt the repair on your own or hire a professional. But if it’s not cooling because of a faulty compressor, you’re facing an expensive repair that will require professional help. For example, if your refrigerator isn’t keeping cool because of a ripped door gasket, you can fix it cheaply yourself if you’re comfortable doing so. There are some repairs that are easy and low-priced to do yourself. Determine whether the problem is something that is easily and cheaply fixed.Keep in mind that if your problem is covered by the warranty, you’ll need to go through the manufacturer or retailer to arrange the repair service. We also found that the typical extended warranty costs $6 less than the typical out-of-pocket cost of a repair. In our most recent survey, we found that nearly half (48 percent) of consumers who purchased extended warranties for refrigerators did not use them. It’s important to read the fine print because there are problems the manufacturer might not cover. Even if it’s not part of an official recall, a problem that’s brought up in online forums repeatedly might be significant enough that the company will fix it or replace the refrigerator free of charge. Check the appliance brand’s website to see if this is the case. Your refrigerator’s problem might be covered by a recall.For additional help finding appliance recycling programs, check out the Earth911 Recycling Search database or call 800-CLEANUP (80).īut if your refrigerator truly isn’t worth fixing and you decide to replace it, you can find replacement advice, as well as some top-performing models from our tests, below.īefore you completely commit to a repair or replacement, there are some additional considerations you should weigh. The RAD program disposed of over 8.2 million refrigerators from 2006 to 2020. The EPA has a Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program, which you can use to make sure your fridge is properly recycled. When the time comes to toss your old refrigerator, make sure you do it responsibly. ![]() Refrigerators can also contain ozone-depleting foam insulation and harmful materials like mercury, so proper recycling of them is still key. Refrigerators manufactured after 1995 use an ozone-friendly refrigerant, but it’s still a greenhouse gas that can contribute to climate change. The EPA says refrigerators manufactured before 1995 contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerant, which, when released, contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. Many CR members (50 percent) had their old fridge hauled away, while about a third discarded theirs in a somewhat sustainable way by trading it in, giving it away, selling it, or donating it.Īs they rot in landfills, refrigerators can release harmful gases and materials that damage the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. According to past surveys, only 10 percent of CR members had their old refrigerator recycled. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that in 2018, the most recent data available, 5.3 million tons of waste was generated from large appliances, with 2.1 million tons ending up in a landfills. Repairing your new-ish refrigerator may be not only less costly for you but also better for the planet. ![]()
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