Is it Worth Repairing Mini-Fridges and Other Small Refrigerators?

Some say go big or go home, some say good things often come in small packages. Mini-fridges and small refrigerator units are increasingly common in homes, hotels, and for businesses looking for compact refrigeration for small quantities of food or (more commonly) beverages.

Those small Red Bull or other energy drink fridges also look quite fashionable and can be quite effective for keeping fizzy drinks nice and cold, while compact refrigerators are also common in caravans, yachts, and vans made suitable for living. What all of these refrigerators have in common, however, is that they’re prone to wearing out and requiring repairs over time. Are these little fridges worth repairing?

The Most Common Issues with Mini-Fridges

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that most of the problems that people encounter with mini-fridges are pretty much the same as they encounter with normal, full-size refrigerators.

Some such problems include leaky seals, malfunctioning thermostats, compressor failures, leaks, and inconsistent internal temperatures. Similar to full-sized refrigerators, just about all of these problems can come from different sources, such as the electrical connection or problems with the compressor, for example.

Fortunately, many small refrigerator issues can be resolved without too much hassle and some can even be avoided with proper cleaning and maintenance.

How Expensive is it to Repair vs Replace a Small Refrigerator?

Refrigerator repairs can vary quite a bit in cost, and so too can small refrigerator repairs. Although the size may be smaller, the cost of repairs is usually about the same. On average, the cost of small refrigerator repairs is about $100 to $500 or more, depending on the issue that needs to be resolved.

The most expensive components to replace on a small refrigerator are the compressor and control board, both of which typically cost near the upper end of the average, whereas simpler repairs skew a little cheaper.

Given that a brand new mini-fridge of reasonable quality can run around $300-$500 or more, it’s often cheaper to repair the fridge so long as the cost is less (it usually is) than replacing it outright.

For more expensive fridge compressors and control board repairs, the cost will likely be comparable and it might be worth weighing out your options.

Tips to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Small Refrigerator

Most mini-fridges will work quite well so long as they’re cleaned and maintained regularly. Clean the condenser coils every so often as this makes the cooling more efficient, and also clean out the contents every once in awhile to sanitise the interior and to prevent buildups of bacteria.

Is it Worth Hiring an Appliance Repair Technician?

For mini-fridges, it’s almost always worth calling an appliance repair technician in Melbourne rather than toss it out and buy a new model. Not only is it cheaper in most cases (unless the compressor is blown out or the control board is fried), but it’s also better for the environment to repair older appliances like mini-fridges.

Is it Worth Repairing Mini-Fridges and Other Small Refrigerators?

Mini-fridges and other small refrigerators are worth repairing because it’s better for the environment and reduces e-waste, it saves you money, and it also saves you the time and effort needed to dispose of the old appliance and to purchase and install a new model.

Domestic Appliance Repair

Repair your refrigerator and more with Domestic Appliance Repair.

Brands & Suburbs We Regularly Service