Would you replace an eleven year old fridge??

[mtn1584]

Just curious,
If you had a GE Profile side by side with ice and water through the door, that had given you few problems, would you err on the side of caution and replace it because it is coming up on eleven years old? What is the life span of a SXS refrigerator? I don't want it to crap out unexpectedly and then scramble for the $ to buy a new one.
MIKE

 

[mich]

Here...

Duke Energy keeps running ads, over & over, and over again, about these older models using so much more energy then newer ones..

"Refrigerators and freezers purchased before 1993 can consume two to three times more energy than newer models. Replacing your current unit with an ENERGY STAR® qualified model could save you more than $100 a year on energy costs."

Not exactly sure how true that statement, is, however, it's something to think about.

I myself, honestly, would not replace something that still works. I'd hold onto it, until it finally dies.

 

[sudsmaster]

There is not a big difference in energy consumption between fridges labled "Energy Star" made 11 years ago and those made today. The real energy hogs were those made in the '70s and '80s. For example, around 2000 I replaced a GE SxS fridge that was rated by the mfg to use 1700 KWH/year. The replacement was a KA SxS that was rated to use 600 KWH/year. Did I see a big reduction in my electric bill? You betcha!

But a similarly sized and featured fridge today might be rated at 500 KWH. Yes, an improvment, but probably not enough (certainly not 300% more efficient) worth replacing a perfectly working fridge over.

The only thing I miss about the old GE was that the ice maker made actual cubes (well, short cylinders). Instead of the funky crescents that most modern ice makers seem to do. But that was a minor annoyance when compared to the $$$ saved on each month's electric bill.

 

[wayupnorth]

energystar.gov has the info you need to determine if it is worthwhile to replace. You can put your model number in the calculator and it tells you what you need to know.

 

[DADoES]

 
1.  Energy savings figures are based on best-base scenarios, which aren't always the case in practice.

2.  If one spent $2,000 for a new SxS, even if $100/year power cost is saved it'd take 20 years to recoup the investment.

3.  People nowadays complain that appliances don't as long as they did in the past.  That's true, if they're not given the chance to do so. 

 

[mrb627]

I would consider a replacement...

if you only have one refrigerator ( no backup )
and you have a reason to believe it is on its way out.

I personally would rather replace it when I can shop around and chose a good fit. Otherwise, you may be shopping under a crisis and not be able to make the best decision.

But that is just me...

Malcolm

 

[mtn1584]

I am just worried about the compressor crapping out and being caught by surprise.

 

[norgeway]

I would replace it

With a 1950s model if it were me..LOL!

 

[whirlcool]

We replaced a 10 year old Whirlpool SxS refrigerator two years ago. It was a lemon from the start. Almost every year something went wrong with it. On the morning of New Years day it crapped out for good. We had a major shopping trip the week before.
Everything in the loaded freezer defrosted. Yes, we got caught by surprise but we really should have known by past performances that it was going to do it to us again.

What's peace of mind worth?

 

[kb0nes]

compressor crapping out

Yes a sealed system failure can happen, but unless you have some odd indication like a strange noise or something, its just not too likely.

You are far more likely to get bit by a fan or defrost system failure. Both of which are easily repairable.

I wouldn't replace a serviceable unit on the hunch it may fail. Although I may put a can on top the unit I toss random twenty dollar bills into for when it does eventually die

 

[twintubdexter]

"protection" was a whole different thing back then

You can help the compressor live a longer life by keeping the condenser clean. I suppose it depends on what's stored in the fridge as to how tramatic a refrigeration failure would actually be. Years ago when I worked at Western Appliance in San Jose manufacturers like Frigidaire offered spolied food protection with new products. The customer had to fill out a claim form and most of them were pretty hysterical to read...50 lbs of lobster tails, 75 lbs of filet minion, 5 lbs of ground beef was very common.

"where's the beef?"

 

[danemodsandy]

I Would:

Put together the resources (cash or room on a credit card) to purchase another unit, and then I would do - nothing.

I would wait until the present box goes wonky, and then I would replace it with the resources I'd put together.

Until that time, having cash on hand generates interest, and not using available credit saves interest.

You should definitely be prepared, but there's no reason I can see to run right out and buy a new unit on the off chance the present one is going to take a dumparooney.

P.S.: If you buy a new $2000 fridge that saves $100 a year in energy costs, that sounds attractive, right? Except that if you only get ten years out of it, only half of what you spent is paid back. Also, one thing the Energy Star program seriously fails to take into account is the energy needed to produce a new appliance, and of course, there's also shipping - these days, that's often halfway around the globe from China, Inc. The Energy Star program never says anything about products that use little energy now, but clap out far sooner than consumer durables used to, requiring a lot of - you guessed it - energy to replace.

You would probably be doing the planet a favor overall to nurse your old unit along a while longer.

 

[travis]

I would run it until it dies.  Energy star is ONLY concerned about the cost to operate.  They're trapped in a vacuum where they never consider the energy to produce and ship, the cost to purchase or the disposal of the dead energy efficient appliance.

 

I almost bought into the efficiency game with my central A/C this year. It's a  twenty year old unit.  I got a few bids of $8000-10000 and figured I was happier with the cash in my pocket.  It did fail on Sunday.  It turned out that the hard starting was a burned contact.  It's up and running again for $40!

 

[mtn1584]

What is the expected life span of an eleven year old SXS fridge. I have had a two year old fridge have the compressor die. this was a fridge I got for my mother, a Maytag branded, chinese made Haier...she looked beautiful, but crapped out after only two years. (The fridge, not my mother LOL) Eleven years on a GE Profile is a decent run I think. I don't like waiting to the last minute to replace anything, I have never been like that. I suppose I get tired of crap quickly as well. Anyway, does anyone know what the CR says is the lifespan of a SXS fridge?
Mike

 

[ronhic]

Wait until she curls up her coils

Currently, you've a fridge that has given you virtually no problems. Historically, appliances do one of three things:

- have issues during warranty
- have issues during and after warranty
- have minimal issues

Falling into the 3rd category, I wouldn't replace it.

In fact, given it has been so reliable, I'd be tempted to have it fixed even if it did break. Fridges are not complex things. Its usually the thermostat, compressor or refrigerant that goes on them - all of which can be replaced for relatively little money.

 

[washer111]

Wouldn't Bother

We've got a 14.5 year old F&P matched set. Yeah, they use about 1500kW/h total per year by government testing in 1999, but given the cost of new units in this country (looking at over $800 for models that aren't "Poverty Packs"). We've had good service, they still defrost and work fine. 

I've fixed some issues that have developed with the shelving, but that is otherwise "it."

 

The best part is we already have a smaller refrigerator/freezer hanging around that are used that could be pressed into daily use if our main units die. This means we haven't been too concerned about finding replacements, since the smaller units will work great until its time to go shopping. 

 

Our "Energy Label" (Stars) program is heavily flawed in that they tell you to "look for more stars." Yeah, well thats an issue, since "the stars" can mean anything between different types of fridge: E.g. a 3-star SxS might use 1000kW/h, but a regular top-freezer model might use 800kW/h with that labelling. 

Whilst I've figured going to a bottom-freezer model will use as much as our refrigerator now (540kW/h for the fridge, 940kW/h for the freezer), so we'd save somewhere around 1000 x .22 which seems to equal $220 each year - so our investment would take a good 8 years to pay off. If the machine breaks or anything like that, we've failed.

 

One might actually be better off buying "Poverty Packs," as our two additional units are cheap Made in China things that have gone 4 years now trouble free. 

 

[sudsmaster]

It also would depend on your electricity rates.

For example, at my current level of usage, due to tiered rates that increase as consumption goes up, any additional electrical load would cost $.35/KWH. So a fridge that uses 1,000 more KWH than an energy star would cost me an extra $29/month in electrical costs, or $350/yr. A few years of that and the more efficient fridge has paid for itself.

 

[goatfarmer]

no

 

[sambootoo]

In a similar situation. My Kenmore top freezer frig sounds like a boulder crashing into the house every time it cycles off. I've been told this is an internal (compressor) motor mount spring, could die tomorrow or could last a few more years. Still using it, hasn't died YET, but I'm "casually" shopping around for a replacement. Should it give up the ghost tonight I've got a few models in mind for a replacement. Should one of these models go on sale at a really good discount, I would go ahead and buy it.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I had a 22 cu ft Amana side by side, stainless panels, ice & water in the door, etc.   At the 11 or 12 year (or so) mark it I noticed the freezer wasn't as cold as it should be.  A friend came by to check it, determined it was a little low on freon and recharged it.

 

This lasted 4 - 5 months and it wasn't staying as cold again.   It had a leak and the 2nd time he added a die to help find the leak.  Long story short, the evaporator core inside the fridge was the source of the leak and due to time (had to remove the all of the panels inside of the fridge to get to it) and cost (it was well over $1000 just for parts) I decided to "throw it away" and get a new fridge, as much as I hated to do so.

 

The new one is a Samsung (ugh) french-door with ice & water, bottom freezer model.   Honestly I could care less about the "french door" thing and only see problems with the seals down the road.   But Samsung had been making the bottom freezer models for GE for 2 1/2 years before I bought this one and so far I've been very happy with it the last 2+ (3?) years I've had it.

 

Kevin 

 

[frigilux]

Do your part to help the economy: Kick it to the curb and get a new one!

 

[goatfarmer]

I've got a mid 80's Frigidaire top mount in the basement. It has the "klunk" from the compressor when it shuts down. It's been that way since I picked it up about 17 years ago. Never misses a beat, keeps great temperatures, no other problems in 17 years.

 

[supersuds]

1999 GE top mount here

It has been clunking at shutoff for at least 5 years. I doubt it will die tomorrow but am getting a little tired of the noise (and startled guests jumping).

I think I'd replace it, but how do could you determine a model that wouldn't develop the same noise?

 

[xraytech]

we have a 1993 Kenmore 18 top freezer model that's chugging along just fine, have an Amana bottom freezer of same time period in the garage that clunks and is very loud but performs great.

Now our freezer is a mid-late 1970s 22 cu ft coldspot that runs quietly.

I personally wouldn't worry about the age as a new one may end up more trouble

 

[washer111]

Compressor Clunk

Our Fridge does this on occasion, usually for defrost cycle, but sometimes other time. Ours makes more of a pop sound when the top hits the cage. It used to do this at random times too at one point - it would clunk a few times in a row over a minute, but doesn't anymore.

 

The freezer OTOH, rattles when it stops. Thermostat clicks, then you here to "clicky" rattle.

 

[wayupnorth]

My 18 year old Whirlpool

Built by Frigidare clunks and bangs but still works perfect. Except it is the worst designed fridge in the world to fit things in. Did the energy calculation and it would be about 30 years to save enough money replacing it with a comparable 18 cu. ft. But you can put something in the freezer and its solid in no time.

 

[dustin92]

We have never had any major problems with a refrigerator- 20 year old and 13 year old GE's at our old house, a 80's Gibson downstairs and a 1989 Whirlpool upstairs at this house. The Whirlpool has Clunked loudly when shutting off for at least 20 years, but keeps everything perfectly cold.

 

[sudsmaster]

You people must have cheap electricity.

Not so here.

 

[supersuds]

Electric rates

Fairly cheap by today's standards, at about 10 cents per kWh, when everything is included, and no pricing tiers or time-of-day differentials (yet), so using more doesn't raise the rate. Gas seems to be higher in the Southeast than in the West, however -- not too many people around here have a gas dryer.

According to a book I have, the TVA electric rate in 1970 was 1 1/4 cents per kWh.

 

[arbilab]

How much kWh do you have to save to replace an appliance every 6 years instead of every 25 years? That's roughly the difference between old "inefficient" refrigeration and what's sold today.

Using the example I'm most familiar with, the condenser (outside) unit of a central air made in 1980 could be expected to last 20-30yrs. The same appliance made in 2005 is designed to fail in 5-7 yrs. Yes a rotary is "more efficient" than a swash when evaluated only in terms of operating kWh. But how many kWh does it take to landfill and remanufacture it 4 times as often? Not counting retail markup and installation labor which is what YOU pay.

Surely nobody here thinks government-mandated "efficiency" favors the person who actually PAYS for things. Yeah right, save $1000 off your electric bill by trashing your $4000 system 4 times as often. You don't even have to DO the math to see the fallacy.