How Much Does It Cost to Fix an Oven That Won't Heat? (2026 NZ Prices)

If your electric oven won’t heat, you’re not alone. In Auckland, over 1,200 oven repair calls come in every month during winter - and most of them are because the oven just won’t get hot. It’s frustrating. You preheat, you wait, and your roast stays cold. Before you call a technician or buy a new oven, you need to know what’s actually broken - and how much it’ll cost to fix.

Most Common Reasons an Electric Oven Won’t Heat

An electric oven that won’t heat usually has one of five problems. Not all of them need a full replacement. Some are simple fixes under $100. Others? You’re looking at a bigger repair.

• Heating element failure - This is the #1 cause. The coil inside the oven burns out over time. You’ll see black spots, cracks, or it won’t glow red when turned on.
• Thermostat malfunction - If the thermostat can’t sense the right temperature, it won’t signal the element to turn on. The oven might seem to work, but it never reaches the set temp.
• Broken bake or broil relay - These are small switches inside the control board that send power to the heating element. They wear out from constant use.
• Faulty temperature sensor - Common in newer ovens. If the sensor reads the wrong temp, the oven shuts off to avoid overheating.
• Tripped thermal fuse - A safety device that cuts power if the oven overheats. Once blown, it won’t reset - it must be replaced.

Most of these issues can be diagnosed in under 15 minutes by a technician with a multimeter. If you’re handy, you can check the heating element yourself - just unplug the oven first. Look for visible damage. If it looks intact, the problem is likely deeper.

Cost to Replace a Heating Element in New Zealand

The heating element is the cheapest fix - if that’s all that’s wrong. A replacement element for a standard 90L electric oven costs between $45 and $85 NZD, depending on the brand. Siemens, Belling, and Smeg parts cost more than generic models.

Labor? Most technicians charge $80-$120 NZD per hour. Replacing the element takes 30-45 minutes, so you’re looking at $120-$180 NZD total. Some companies include diagnostics in the call-out fee. Others charge $50-$70 just to show up.

Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Some plumbers or handyman services try to upsell you on full oven replacements. Don’t fall for it. If your oven is less than 10 years old and the rest of it works - replacing the element is almost always the right call.

What If It’s Not the Element?

Here’s where costs climb. If the heating element is fine, the next likely culprit is the thermostat or temperature sensor. These are harder to test without tools.

A faulty temperature sensor (common in ovens made after 2015) costs $60-$110 NZD for the part. Labor is similar to the element replacement - another $120-$180 total.

Thermostat replacement? Around the same price range. But here’s the catch: some ovens use a digital control board instead of a mechanical thermostat. If that board fails, you’re looking at $250-$400 NZD for the part alone. Labor adds another $100. Total? $350-$500.

And then there’s the thermal fuse. It’s a tiny $15-$25 part. But if it blew, it’s usually because something else overheated - like a blocked vent or a failing element. The technician has to find the root cause. That means extra time. Total cost: $180-$270.

When It’s Not Worth Fixing

There’s a point where repair doesn’t make sense. If your oven is older than 12 years, and you’re being quoted over $300 to fix it, it’s time to consider replacement.

New mid-range electric ovens in New Zealand start at $800-$1,200. But here’s the thing: if you’re replacing the oven anyway, you might as well upgrade. New models are 20-30% more energy efficient. They have better temperature control. Some even connect to your phone.

But don’t rush. If your oven is 8-10 years old and only needs a $200 fix, keep it. You’re saving hundreds. Most ovens last 15+ years. If you’re only halfway through its life, repair is smarter.

How to Avoid Getting Overcharged

Appliance repair isn’t regulated in New Zealand. Anyone can hang out a shingle. That means some technicians will inflate prices or push unnecessary replacements.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

1. Ask for a diagnostic fee upfront - Some companies charge $50-$70 just to show up. Make sure they’ll apply that to the repair if you go ahead.
2. Get a written quote - Never agree to work without knowing the total cost. Ask for part numbers and labor hours.
3. Check reviews - Look for technicians with 4.5+ stars on Google and at least 50 reviews. Avoid anyone with complaints about hidden fees.
4. Ask if they use OEM parts - Generic parts are cheaper but fail faster. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are designed for your model.
5. Don’t let them pressure you - If they say "your oven is dying," ask for proof. A working oven with one broken part isn’t dying.

In Auckland, companies like Appliance Fixers NZ and Smart Home Repairs have consistent 4.8-star ratings. They list exact prices on their websites. Use them as a benchmark.

DIY Fixes You Can Try First

If you’re comfortable with basic tools, you can rule out a few things yourself before calling someone.

• Check the power - Make sure the oven is plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Some ovens have a separate breaker for the heating element.
• Reset the oven - Unplug it for 10 minutes. Plug it back in. Some digital controls glitch and need a reboot.
• Test the element visually - Turn the oven on to 180°C. Wait 5 minutes. Look through the door. If the element doesn’t glow bright orange, it’s likely dead.
• Check the oven light - If the light works but the oven doesn’t heat, it’s not a power issue. The problem is internal.

Don’t try to test the thermostat or sensor yourself unless you have a multimeter and know how to use it. A wrong move can fry the control board.

What to Do If You’re on a Budget

Repairing an oven doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are your best options:

• Use a trade school technician - Auckland University of Technology and MIT offer apprentice repair programs. You pay less, and they’re supervised by qualified techs.
• Buy a used part online - Sites like TradeMe have genuine OEM elements for 30% less than local stores. Just make sure the model number matches.
• Ask for a discount - Many repair shops offer 10-15% off for seniors, students, or if you mention you’re a repeat customer.

One Auckland homeowner fixed her 12-year-old Smeg oven for $165 by ordering the element from the UK (shipping included) and paying a local tech just $70 to install it. She saved $180.

Final Advice: Fix or Replace?

Ask yourself these three questions:

1. How old is the oven? Under 8 years? Fix it. Over 12? Consider replacement.
2. What’s the repair cost compared to a new one? If it’s more than 50% of a new oven’s price, walk away.
3. Are you happy with how it works? If it’s slow, uneven, or noisy - even after repair, you’ll regret keeping it.

Most people fix their ovens. They’re not expensive to repair if you catch the problem early. And in New Zealand’s cold winters, a working oven isn’t a luxury - it’s essential.