Written by

Sarah Noel

October 12, 2023

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

Fact-checked by

Tara Farmer

Refrigerator compressor cost

A refrigerator compressor replacement costs $700 to $1,250 on average. Most refrigerator compressor prices are $200 to $400, depending on the brand and size. The labor cost to replace a refrigerator compressor is $500 to $850. The cost to repair a refrigerator compressor is $50 to $125 per hour.

• A compressor replacement takes 3 to 8 hours.

• A refrigerator compressor lasts 5 to 10 years on average.

• A new refrigerator costs $600 to $2,300.

Cost factors to replace a refrigerator compressor

The labor cost to replace a refrigerator compressor is $500 to $850 on average. A refrigerator compressor replacement often requires extra labor according to how many other damages caused this part to fail.

Cost factors of a compressor replacement include:

• Size – Large refrigerators need bigger compressors that cost more than average.

• Refrigerator type – Compressors for specialty imported fridges and built-in fridges cost more than average to replace due to more difficult part accessibility.

• Original vs. standard parts – Universal parts tend to be cheaper than OEM parts that the technician must order as a special delivery.

• Repair vs. replace – The cost to repair a refrigerator compressor depends on the issue. Refrigerator repair costs $50 to $125 per hour with minimum call-out fees of $70 to $130. A technician may try to repair the compressor by resetting it, but they need to replace it in most cases.

• Emergency service – Urgent repairs outside of normal business hours can cost twice the average service call fees of $70 to $130.

• Warranty – Many refrigerator manufacturers offer warranties on a compressor for 5 to 10 years, so you can get a free part but still need to pay for the labor.

• Manufacturer's technician vs. general repair company – Labor rates tend to be lower for hiring a service technician directly through the fridge company. However, they often have longer wait times than a general appliance repair service.

• Job complexity – Compressor replacement can involve emptying the system with a vacuum pump to recover old refrigerant, re-assembling the pipes with soldering, testing for leaks, and adding new refrigerant.

• Location – Replacing a compressor in a neighborhood with many vacation homes and high-end housing will cost extra due to the higher cost of living.

• Additional sealed system failures – Often the compressor isn't the only part of the refrigerant system that breaks. A leak indicates that the evaporator, lines, and condenser may also need replacing along with the compressor.

Refrigerator compressor prices by brand

Refrigerator compressor prices are $150 to $800, depending on the brand and the age of the model. An LG refrigerator compressor replacement part costs $200 to $500 on average. Part prices are higher for discontinued or imported models.

Refrigerator compressor FAQs

What is a refrigerator compressor, and how does it work?

A refrigerator compressor is a motor that works by circulating refrigerant through the sealed cooling system. The entire sealed system includes lines that run refrigerant through the evaporator, condenser, and compressor to keep the fridge cold.

When the compressor fails, the refrigerant in the lines will stop moving and prevent the fridge from cooling.

Is it worth replacing a compressor on a refrigerator?

Sometimes it's worth it to replace a compressor on a refrigerator if:

• The compressor part is still under warranty.

• The fridge is less than 5 years old.

• Buying a new fridge would cost twice as much as a compressor replacement.

• No other parts on the refrigerator have ever failed.

• You have equipment breakdown insurance that covers appliance failures.

What are the signs of a bad refrigerator compressor?

Signs of a bad refrigerator compressor include:

• Fridge temperature won't go down.

• Unusual noises like knocking or clicking start coming from the fridge.

• Your kitchen circuit breaker trips.

• A foul and pungent smell comes from the fridge.

• Energy bills are unusually high.

• Leaks appear under the fridge.

How long does a refrigerator compressor last?

A refrigerator compressor lasts 5 to 10 years on average, or up to 20 years for a high-quality part in a regularly serviced fridge. Keep in mind that many refrigerator units don't last for more than 10 to 15 years though, so many people choose to replace an old fridge.

How long does it take to replace a refrigerator compressor?

Replacing a refrigerator compressor takes 3 to 8 hours depending on the extent of the problem and the unit size. If the compressor burned out, then you must flush the lines, which adds more time. Commercial refrigerators will take longer to repair.

Getting estimates from refrigerator technicians

Before hiring a refrigerator repair service near you, be sure to:

• Request 3+ quotes from licensed, bonded, and insured companies to compare.

• Ask if technicians are certified by the NASTeC and EPA to handle refrigerant.

• Read their past reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

• Confirm if the contractor has 5+ years of experience.

• Get an itemized repair estimate and contract copy before the job starts.

• Avoid hiring the cheapest technicians who can have low-quality service.

• Confirm that the contractor is an officially authorized service technician for the manufacturer of your refrigerator.

• Never pay in full until the job is done.

Questions to ask

Discuss the following questions with the repair technician before work starts:

• How long have you been fixing refrigerators like mine?

• What do you include in your minimum service fee?

• Are there extra service fees if I'm outside your standard service area?

• Is it cheaper to repair or replace this fridge?

• Do you have to place a special order for a new compressor part?

• How much longer will my fridge last if you replace the compressor?

• Are all materials, labor, and service fees in this estimate?

• Will you do a full flush to clear out the sealed system?

• Is my evaporator leaking refrigerant?

• What are some other common extra charges on a job like this?

• Will you need to replace more fridge parts beyond the compressor?

• How much is this service if this fridge is still under warranty?

• When you replace the part, how long is the new warranty for?

• Is my refrigerator a listed model from a compressor lawsuit, with repair fees covered by the manufacturer?

• Can I get an ongoing maintenance plan for this fridge?