Repair or replace?
- 8 appliances and systems
- Published lifespans
- Both sides of the case
Typical lifespans are from the National Association of Home Builders' Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components. Real life varies with use, water quality and maintenance. Get the repair quote in writing, including parts and labor, before you decide.
How it works
Typical lifespans come from the National Association of Home Builders study of home component life expectancy, cross-checked against InterNACHI's estimated life expectancy chart, which gives wider ranges. Real life varies with use, water quality and maintenance.
Age is compared with that typical life. Cost compares the repair quote with the replacement price. The common 50% rule, a repair costing more than half of replacing on equipment past half its life, pushes toward replacing.
History and the problem itself matter too: two or more repairs in three years count against repairing, some problems (a leaking water heater tank, a cracked heat exchanger) always point to replacement, and cheap, common fixes point to repair. Warranty coverage pushes strongly toward repairing.
The result is a lean, not a rule, so both cases are shown along with what would change the answer.
About this tool
Who it's for
For the moment a repair quote arrives for something that's been around a while.
Example
You enterAn 11-year-old water heater, two repairs in three years, a $375 quote against $1,900 new
You getA judgment call, leaning replace: past its typical life with repeat repairs, though the repair is only 20% of new.
What's different
- Weighs the specific problem, not just age and price.
- Lays out both cases and what would change the answer, instead of a single verdict.
- Uses published lifespan estimates, shown on the page.
Gotchas and tips
- Get quotes in writing, parts and labor.
- Warranty coverage can flip the answer.
- Efficiency and how long you'll stay in the house matter too.
Privacy: Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us, and anything it remembers is saved on this device only.
Built and maintained by the GrabTheHammer team, using the same time, cost and safety notes as our guides. Updated November 2026. Spot a problem? Tell us.
Repair or replace questions
What is the 50% rule for repair or replace?
A common rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than about half the price of replacing, and the equipment is past about half its expected life, replacing is usually the better value. It's a starting point, not a law.
How long does a water heater last?
A tank water heater typically lasts about 10 years; the NAHB estimates 10 for gas and 11 for electric. Tankless units often last 20 years or more.
Is it worth repairing an old furnace?
A cheap fix like a flame sensor or igniter usually is. A cracked heat exchanger or a major part on a furnace near 15 to 20 years old usually isn't.