How Old Is My Refrigerator? Here’s How To Find Out!

Figuring out how old the appliances in your kitchen can feel impossible sometimes. Do you think your current refrigerator might need to be replaced but want to double-check its age first? Well, we've done plenty of research and have the answer waiting here for you. Let's check it out.

To figure out the age of a refrigerator, you want to check its serial number. Most times, you can find this on the inside top or bottom corner of your fridge, and it should give you the exact date your appliance was manufactured.

That said, if you can't find the serial number, you can also try looking for it on your fridge's original packaging, so that's another idea to consider.

As we begin, we will cover all things refrigerators and discuss how to figure out the age of your appliance. Whether you think it's time for a new fridge or you're curious, we're here to help. With that said, let's dive right into this topic!

Do All Refrigerators Have A Serial Number?

Yes! Every appliance you buy [including a refrigerator] will have a serial number. Companies use these numbers to track the manufacture date, and model and keep tabs on their inventory before and after shipping.

You can often find the serial number for your refrigerator directly inside its doors or towards the bottom of its interior, and it should look like a barcode. Serial numbers will also be on your refrigerator's original packaging, so there are a couple of ways to find them.

Where Is A Refrigerators Model Number?

If you need to order a replacement part for your fridge, it's essential to know its model number. Generally, you can find this near your appliance's serial number on the inside of your refrigerator.

Sometimes, you might even have your model number and serial number right next to each other in a fridge, so that makes it even easier.

Where Is The Manufacture Date On A Serial Number?

Typically, the manufacture date on a serial number will be within its first two or three letters/digits. GE refrigerators, for example, have serial numbers that start with two letters, the first indicating the month your fridge was made and the second representing the day.

On the other hand, Samsung appliances will encode their manufacture date in the eighth and ninth letters of their 15-digit serial number, so this isn't always the same.

Can You Tell How Old A Refrigerator Is By The Model Number?

Unfortunately, no, you will need to find your fridge's serial number to figure out its age. As we mentioned above, the model number on a refrigerator is more for replacement parts, so this won't give you any indication of how old it is.

That said, it is common for a refrigerator's model number to be very close to its serial number, so the two should be close.

Where Can I Find The Serial Number In A Frigidaire Refrigerator?

If you're reading and own a Frigidaire refrigerator, chances are you're having trouble finding its serial number. This is because Frigidaire appliances will have their serial code on the front frame or inside their storage/warmer drawer panel.

When your fridge's storage drawer is open, you can usually see this number, so it might take a minute to locate. Your refrigerator's model number should also be close by, so make sure to open the drawer in your fridge if you need this information.

Where Is The Serial Number On A Whirlpool Refrigerator?

For those with Whirlpool refrigerators, you should be able to find your appliance's serial number on the inside wall of your fridge/freezer compartment. Most times, this should be towards the top of your fridge, but there is a chance it will be towards the bottom.

As we said, every refrigerator is slightly different, so serial numbers might be scattered in other places, but they will be there.

How Do You Find The Cubic Feet Of Your Refrigerator?

To find the cubic feet of your refrigerator, you want to measure its interior width, height, and depth and multiply all three numbers together. Doing this will give you the total amount of cubic feet [storage] your appliance has, although you might need to remove the drawers and shelves inside for an accurate result.

If your refrigerator has a built-in freezer, you can also use this same formula, adding whatever number you get to your refrigerator's overall cubic square footage.

How Many Cubic Feet Is A Standard Refrigerator?

Generally, a standard-size fridge should have between 22 and 31 cubic feet of storage space. Assuming your fridge measures 30-36 inches wide, 67 -70 inches high, and 29-35 inches deep, it should end up having at least 22 cubic square feet of space.

Of course, a standard-size fridge for some people may be smaller/larger than the one they have at home, so it's best to plug in your measurements and multiply them together for the most accurate answer.

How Long Do Refrigerators Last?

A refrigerator should last between ten and 12 years on average. That said, a refrigerator's lifespan will depend on how well you maintain it and whether its parts are all in good working condition, so this can vary.

According to the United States Department of Energy, a refrigerator will work for about 12 years before it starts to develop major problems/lose its efficiency, so if yours is around that age, it might be time for a new appliance.

If your fridge isn't ENERGY STAR rated/deemed efficient, it might even start to consume more power after 8-10 years, so this can be different for everyone.

How Do You Know If Your Refrigerator Is Dying?

There are a few signs for those with older refrigerators that will tell you if it's time for a replacement. These typically include:

• Food spoiling faster than usual inside your fridge.
• Condensation on the outside of your appliance.
• Excess frost inside the fridge/freezer compartments.
• Unusual or loud noises are coming from your refrigerator.
• Super hot condenser coils.
• A fridge over ten years old.

Of course, your refrigerator may need a part replaced if it starts to malfunction, so this doesn't always mean your entire appliance is dying.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Refrigerator?

Although it depends on the severity of the issue, you can usually expect to pay between $200-$330 to repair a refrigerator. Of course, minor repairs might only cost you around $50, while replacing a major part like a compressor can be upwards of $500, so everyone will be different.

That said, older appliances tend to need more frequent repairs and replacements, so this can add up pretty quickly if you continue to nurse a dying refrigerator instead of replacing it.

Is It Worth Repairing A 10-Year-Old Refrigerator?

In general, it's not going to be worth it to repair a ten-year-old refrigerator. Considering that a fridge's average life expectancy is 10-12 years, repairing an already-dying appliance can waste money.

On top of that, older refrigerators may need parts that are now discontinued and cost more, so you're usually better off purchasing a new unit instead. Of course, if the repair cost isn't enormous and your fridge doesn't show any signs of stopping, you can certainly choose to fix it instead of replacing it, so this comes down to you.

How Long Is The Warranty On A Refrigerator?

If your fridge has a warranty, expect it to last between 1-2 years. This goes for most major brand appliances, so we recommend reaching out to the manufacturer if it's only been a few months and your refrigerator is having problems.

For example, Whirlpool offers one year of coverage on their refrigerators from the date of purchase, while Samsung offers two, so this can depend on the brand you buy from. The individual parts of your fridge may also have different warranty periods, so it's best to contact the manufacturer when/if anything ever happens regardless.

To Wrap It All Up

Whether you've had your fridge for a while or want to know when it was manufactured, finding this information can be tricky. From what we found, a refrigerator's age will usually be on its serial number, which should be inside your appliance towards the top or bottom corner.

You can also find a fridge's serial number and manufacture date on its box, so if you kept yours, that's an easy place to look. Certain brands may also have their serial and model numbers inside the drawers/storage of their refrigerators, so make sure to open everything up while looking.

Regardless, make sure to keep an eye on the first few letters/digits of your refrigerator's serial number, and don't forget to check its model number if you ever need to order a replacement part.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related kitchen posts below!

Can You Put A Refrigerator In The Corner Of The Kitchen?

How To Adjust The Temperature On A Danby Refrigerator

Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Making Ice - What Could Be Wrong?