A fridge freezer is the hardest working appliance in the home, running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It is also likely to be the most expensive kitchen appliance, so you will want to know how long it’s likely to last.
How Long Do Fridge Freezers Last?
On average, a fridge freezer will last around 10 years. If you buy one of the premium brands and look after your appliance carefully, it could last much longer.
How Often Should You Replace a Fridge Freezer?
There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should replace a fridge freezer, but there are several things to bear in mind.
Firstly, is your fridge freezer still running properly?
If not, undertake some routine maintenance, such as checking the temperature, checking the door seals, cleaning the coils on the back of the appliance, and defrosting the freezer.
If necessary, do minor repairs, such as replacing the light bulb or the door seals.
If the appliance still doesn’t seem to be running as well as it should get a quote for getting it repaired. At the same time, look at how much it’s likely to cost you to buy a new fridge freezer that meets your needs.
If the cost of repairs is likely to be more than half the cost of a new fridge freezer, it’s probably better to get a new appliance.
Also consider how energy efficient your fridge freezer is. There have been a lot of improvements in technology over the last 10-20 years, and if your fridge freezer is 10 years old or older, likely, it is not as energy efficient as it could be.
With the cost of electricity rocketing, it may save you money, in the long run, to invest in a new unit. You can learn more about the running costs of a fridge freezer here.
How Do You Know When a Fridge Freezer Needs Replacing?
There are several signs your fridge freezer isn’t working quite as it should. Each of these will need further investigating to determine whether a repair will do the job or if the appliance needs replacing.
Temperature
The obvious thing to look for is if it’s not cold enough.
If food in the fridge is going off before its expiry date, or if things aren’t freezing correctly in the freezer, firstly check the temperature control. This may have been knocked. If this is the case, adjust it accordingly and see if this fixes the problem.
If not, look around for other possible causes, such as damaged seals, or frost stopping the freezer door from shutting properly.
It may also be worth buying an inexpensive fridge-freezer thermometer (such as this one) to check the temperature inside the unit. The optimum temperature for a fridge is 3oC to 4oC, and for freezers, it’s -15 oC to -18 oC.
Noise
Have you noticed your fridge freezer is making more noise recently?
This can be a sign that the freezer is having to work harder. Try some routine maintenance, like defrosting the freezer and dusting the coils, and if it’s still making excessive noise, there could be a problem.
Equally, if the fridge never makes any noise, this can also be a sign that it’s not functioning as it should. Newer fridges are designed to be quiet, but if you notice your fridge freezer is quieter than it usually is, this could also be a warning sign.
Condensation
Another sign to look out for is condensation on the outside of the appliance or a layer of frost inside the freezer.
Both can be caused by the doors not being properly closed, so check this before assuming the worst.
Maintenance
Try to check your fridge freezer periodically for cracks in the plastic on the inside or outside of the unit, as this can stop it from working as efficiently as it could.
Another thing to check is the temperature of the coils. Some heat is to be expected, but if it seems excessive, this could be a sign your fridge freezer is having to work harder than it should.
What If My Fridge Freezer Won’t Switch on at All?
If you open the fridge door and the light doesn’t come on but things still feel cold, the first thing to check is the light, as it might simply be that the bulb needs replacing.
However, if there is definitely no power to the unit, there are other things to check before you panic.
Firstly, check the plug and socket. Check that the plug is firmly in the socket and the switch hasn’t accidentally been knocked to the off position.
Then check the wire from the plug to the appliance, including the extension cable if there is one. Make sure there is no damage and that everything is as it should be.
If everything seems ok, it may be worth checking the socket itself. Try plugging in a different appliance and seeing if that works. Try plugging the fridge freezer into a different socket too. If other appliances are off too, check your circuit breaker.
If all else fails, try leaving it unplugged for a bit, as this may reset the circuit board. If it still won’t work when you switch it back on, you’re going to need to call an electrician or buy a replacement.
Can A Freezer Last for 25 Years?
You may hear anecdotal reports of fridge freezers that have lasted 25 years, or even longer.
However, we wouldn’t recommend keeping your fridge freezer going that long.
Remember that a fridge freezer is on 24 hours a day, every day, so the working parts have undergone a lot of stress, and it’s unlikely to be functioning as efficiently as it used to. For example, you are likely to have to defrost it reasonably regularly.
There have also been significant advances in technology in this time, meaning the modern models are more energy efficient and cheaper to run.
You are also likely to find that if there is a problem with an appliance of this age, you will struggle to find someone who knows how to fix it, or to acquire the correct parts.
Related FAQs
Do you have further questions about the life of a fridge freezer? Then check these out:
It might be, but it depends on the cost of repairs. If the cost of repairs exceeds 50% of the cost of a new freezer, then it would be better to buy a new freezer instead.
No, they will not. Premium brands will last for longer, and freezers which are properly maintained will last longer too. Regular defrosting and cleaning will extend their life.
