From Newsgroup: alt.home.repair

On Mon, 3 Aug 2026 16:41:52 -0400
jmcquown <j_mcquown@comcast.net> wrote:

OT: the home warranty company found an appliance repair company to
come out to try to repair my refrigerator which was zapped by a power
surge due to the lightning strike behind my house on 7/26. The
technician will be here tomorrow morning. The refrigerator/freezer
in my kitchen is only 6 years old so I do hope he'll be able to
repair it. Wish me luck! I cannot afford to buy a new refrigerator.

It will likely be the compressor (and/or) the circuit board.

AI Overview
The average repair cost for a refrigerator
damaged by a power surge ranges from $200 to $900, depending heavily on
which electrical components burned out.

Power surges typically fry
sensitive electronic parts like the main control board, start relay, or inverter board rather than mechanical parts.

Common Surge Repair Costs

Start Relay: $50 to $150 (the small electrical
switch next to the compressor)
Fan Motors: $100 to $300 (evaporator or
condenser fan motors)Main Control Board /

User Interface: $200 to $900
(the electronic "brain" of modern fridges)Compressor /

Inverter Board:
$400 to $1,200+ (if the heavy-duty pump or its specific electronic drive
board is shorted)

Diagnostic / Service Fee: $60 to $150 (standard fee
charged by a technician just to visit and test the unit)

Top Budget Options

Insignia 18 Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator: Priced
around $480 at Best Buy, offering basic white finish and energy star certification.

Insignia 14.2 Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator: Priced
around $450 at Best Buy, a slightly smaller full-depth choice.

Vissani 18.1 Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator: Priced around $579
(frequently on sale lower) at The Home Depot, featuring a garage-ready
design.

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