Most Americans have at least one refrigerator, with some homeowners even having two or more at home. People have come to depend on this appliance when storing food, so it can be troublesome when it becomes damaged. Refrigerators, on average, cost $300 to repair. Some even have more costly repairs—going up to USD$1,000, Home Advisor revealed.
However, appliances, including refrigerators, have a warranty that could help cover these costs. Others could even replace it and give you a brand new one. If you want to save expenses on having it repaired, it’s important to know how long your refrigerator warranties are.
The Short Answer: How Long Is The Warranty of Your Refrigerator?
In a nutshell, manufacturer warranties for refrigerators often last for 12 months. If you got an extended warranty, that might last up to five years, often non-renewable after the end of its term. Renewable home warranties cover at least one year.
There are several things to consider when determining your refrigerator warranty. The first consideration is to work with an authorized factory-service technician. For example, sub zero service - Sterling Service Group goes through the necessary training to repair sub-zero refrigerators compliant with appliance manufacturers.
How Long Do Refrigerators Last?
The United States Department of Energy revealed the average refrigerator lifespan to be 12 years. But there are also signs that your refrigerator is nearing its end. These include rising bills, the refrigerator's exterior getting hot, exterior condensation, or a noisy refrigerator that signifies the motor is continually running.
How To Determine If Your Refrigerator Is Still Under Warranty
If the refrigerator breaks within 30 days since you purchased it, check the store's return policy to see if you can have it returned or exchanged. As refrigerators are one of the most important kitchen essentials, here are several ways to determine if yours is still under warranty:
- User's manual or receipt: You'll find it handy to keep receipts and user manuals for major appliances when the inevitable comes–the need to have it repaired. When determining the warranty, this documentation should be the first place to look. Just remember, if it's been more than a year, check if you've purchased an extended warranty.
- Retailer: When you've lost the receipt on your end, you may still try to retrieve vital information by contacting your retailer. You may also ask about their return policy for purchases made within a year from purchase.
- Manufacturer's website: Here's where you can check the limited warranty duration of your specific brand and product. They usually add information on extended warranties as well.
- Credit card's consumer protection package: You may check with your credit card company for any free extended warranties applicable to your account. Note that credit card companies offer this benefit in their consumer protection package.
What Is Not Covered By A Refrigerator Warranty?
According to GE Appliances, their original warranties may not cover installation and consumer damage-related problems. One example would be if you installed the appliance and not the company. If you suspect improper installations by your builder or dealer, it is best to contact them for resolution.
Moreover, wiring issues and other inadequacies in the home may lead to refrigerator repair costs not covered by the warranty. Still, you may pay to have their licensed technician diagnose the damage regarding these issues. Warranties also do not cover the following:
- Food loss due to spoilage
- Consequential or incidental damage caused by possible defects of the refrigerator
- Expenses related to circuit breakers or house fuse replacement
- Damage caused by misuse and abuse of the appliance
- Damage caused by floods, fires, and accidents
Refrigerator Warranties by Manufacturers
Different brands or manufacturers offer varying types of warranties when it comes to refrigerators. They consider several factors when issuing a warranty and below are some of them:
Defective issues and replacement:
The manufacturer's warranty typically covers manufacturing defects and breakdown issues in the first year from purchase. This type of warranty may also offer replacements for defective appliances. Some manufacturers' warranties only cover parts, while others also cover labor.
Consider this: Beko refrigerators often have a 2-year manufacturer's warranty; they cover parts, excluding the sealed system's labor. KitchenAid and Miele refrigerators may have up to 10 years sealed system warranty. However, the additional five years cover parts only, not labor. In addition, for five years from purchase, Bosch's warranty offers a replacement for defective electronic parts but excludes labor costs.
Sealed system warranty:
One important thing to consider is the duration of the sealed system warranty. The sealed system includes the compressor, condenser, connection tubing, dryer, and evaporator. Most manufacturer's warranties cover parts and labor for the refrigerator's sealed system for five years.
Types of refrigerators:
Samsung and LG may offer extended coverage of up to 10 years for certain refrigerator compressors. For refrigerators with water dispensers, the average coverage for water filters is 30 days only.
Extended Warranties For Refrigerators
Now let's talk about the service agreement for when something goes wrong with a qualifying appliance. This agreement, known as the extended warranty, may cover repair or replacement costs.
Terms and conditions vary in determining the following:
- Length or duration of validity (some are a year, five years, or longer)
- Coverage (full refund or repair costs only)
- Additional fees (shipping and deductible fees)
Pros:
Extended warranties with good coverage may include refunds and even deductible fees. You only need to pay a one-time fee for the coverage period. Now, this should cover any number of malfunctions during the term. There won't be any hidden charges or maintenance fees for the extended warranty. Purchasing an extended warranty is also advantageous when selling your refrigerator, as this type of warranty is transferable to the next owner.
Cons:
Now here's when an extended warranty doesn't make sense: first, when it costs as much as a brand new refrigerator. However, an extended warranty is an investment for refrigerators that cost thousands of dollars to repair. To determine whether an extended warranty is a valuable investment, consider the average cost to repair (around USD$300) to the purchased price (say, USD$3,000.)
Still, know that extended warranties do not cover accidents. Also, take note of extended warranties that require an authorized service center and maintenance schedule. If not followed, you may risk a denied warranty claim.
What To Do When Your Warranty Claim Is Denied?
Be mindful of keeping a personal record of your conversations with companies when filing a warranty claim. Documentation may be helpful if a company fails to honor its warranty. In such a case, you may need to file for breach of warranty.
