A commercial fridge has failed again and you're weighing a repair bill against a new unit. Here's how to make that call without either throwing good money after bad or scrapping a unit with years left in it.
Lean towards repair when…
The unit is relatively young, it's the first significant fault, the part is straightforward, and it's otherwise running efficiently. A one-off repair on a sound unit is almost always the right call — and the quick way back to trading.
Lean towards replacement when…
- It keeps failing. Repeated breakdowns mean repeated callouts, lost stock and lost trade — that adds up fast.
- It's old and inefficient. Ageing units run hard and cost a fortune in electricity; a modern unit can pay back the difference.
- The compressor's gone on an old unit. A major component failure on a tired fridge rarely justifies the spend.
- It runs obsolete refrigerant. Older refrigerants are being phased down, making repairs harder and pricier over time.
How we advise
We'll always tell you straight. If a repair is economical, we fix it. If a unit is genuinely beyond it, we'll say so and quote a replacement — including a properly sized cold room where that's the better long-term answer. No upselling a new unit you don't need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a commercial fridge last?
With regular servicing, many commercial units run well for a decade or more. Poorly maintained ones fail much sooner — maintenance is the biggest factor in lifespan.
Will you push me towards a new unit?
No. We repair where it's economical and only recommend replacement when the numbers genuinely favour it — repeated failures, heavy running costs or a major component gone on an old unit.