Appliance Upgrade Payback Calculator
Is replacing a WORKING fridge-freezer, washing machine or chest freezer with a more efficient model actually worth it right now? See the real payback period — and an honest verdict, not just a sales pitch.
Estimate only. This calculator gives estimates for information only, not professional advice. Actual running costs depend on your specific appliance, usage pattern and tariff — check the energy label (kWh/annum) on your own appliance before deciding.
Choose a preset or enter your own figures
Your running costs, payback period and honest verdict appear here as you type.
How simple payback works — and why it isn't the whole story
Simple payback tells you how many years an appliance's annual running-cost saving takes to cover its purchase price — new price ÷ annual saving. It's a useful sense-check, but on its own it can nudge you towards replacing appliances that are still perfectly serviceable. The honest question isn't just "does it pay back?" but "does it pay back before the old one would have needed replacing anyway?". If the payback period is shorter than the old appliance's realistic remaining life, replacing now is a good move. If it's longer — which is common for appliances that are only a few years old — the better answer is usually to keep using what you've got and put the upgrade off until it actually breaks.