How much should it cost to service an old refrigerator?

[Will Collier]

We've got an old fridge in the garage that we use for, er, beverages. It's not cooling well any more, particulalry when the weather gets warm. How much should it cost me to get it serviced (I'm assuming it needs a freon charge)?

I have no idea how old it actually is, it came with the house. I'd guess at least 10 years, maybe more.

[Carm]

About 80 - 100. Service charge(going to your house) plus freon(r12 expensive)

Carm

[dmann]

Sears offers in home service regardless of where you bought the appliance. My mom had them out last year and IIRC the service call was around $75 (in the Chicagoland area.)

More info here:
http://www.sears.com/sr/service_order/pr...1148854022@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfcaddhlkdkjhdcegecegjdghldgfm.0&vertical=HS

DM

[Grateful11]

Dump it and go to yard sale next weekend and get one for well under a $100.

[Michael]

Or get a new efficient small one that will pay for itself over time. 9 cu ft at Sears for $300.

[wurm]

Depending on where you live, it might cost you $50 to toss it. Consider that in your equation.

[AlphaDog]

[quote wurm] Depending on where you live, it might cost you $50 to toss it. Consider that in your equation.
Yeh, what he said.

[davester]

The biggest cost of owning a fridge is the power used to run it so it is economically nonsensical (and environmentally destructive) to keep an old fridge. It is generally the biggest component of your electric bill (unless you have electric hot water/heating). If it's more than about 10 years old dump it and get a more efficient fridge. It'll pay for itself in a couple of years then it'll all be gravy after that.

[OWC Jamie]

Davester beat me to it.
My old fridge was (1968 avacado green) costing me $35-40/ month.
(about $75 when it was dying)
It's replacement costs about $8-$10/mo.

IF it's old, repairing it doesn't make sense long term.

It could also need more than just a freon charge.

[ADent]

Ancient fridges can cost over $250/year to operate (post above acutally has it over $400).

Think about something newer - bottom of the line or garage sale/Craigslist.