To decide which appliance to replace first, look at its energy consumption and how often you use it. According to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously, while whether it makes sense to replace a washing machine or dishwasher depends in part on the number of cycles. Then compare appliances with the same function and a suitable capacity, checking the kWh/year for refrigeration or kWh/100 cycles for washing. These standardised figures do not guarantee the same reduction in bills in every household.
If your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer is running all the time, it’s worth checking its annual energy consumption. If you’re considering a replacement, compare appliances of the same type and with enough storage space for your needs. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
If you do laundry frequently, compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle with the capacity you actually use. ADEME says a 7 kg washing machine is sufficient in most cases, but this is not a rule for every load.
If you run frequent cycles, consider energy and water use, place settings and the duration of the Eco programme together. The capacity you choose should also suit the amount of washing-up you typically wait to accumulate before starting the appliance.
Start with the appliance that has the biggest impact on your household’s usage, then compare it with a replacement that has the same function and a similar capacity. According to ADEME, the label shows refrigeration energy use over a year and the consumption of washing appliances per 100 cycles. These units should not be compared as if they represented the same usage.
| Concern | What to check before buying | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge or fridge-freezer that runs continuously | Compare the kWh/year and usable capacity of appliances of the same type. Check that the new capacity meets your storage needs. | If my fridge runs day and night, I want to know whether it should take priority over an appliance used in cycles. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Frequently used washing machine | Compare the kWh/100 cycles Eco 40-60, litres per cycle and capacity in kg with your usual loads. | When laundry piles up, I want to fill the drum without choosing an unnecessarily large capacity. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Standalone freezer | Compare the kWh/year and usable capacity of freezers suited to storing a similar quantity of frozen food. | If I regularly store a lot of frozen food, I want to look at the appliance that stays switched on to keep it frozen. Around 20% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Regularly used dishwasher | Check the kWh/100 cycles, litres per cycle, number of place settings and duration of the Eco programme. | When I run the dishwasher frequently, I want to consider electricity and water use, as well as how much I can load. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
The rating alone doesn’t tell you whether the volume, capacity or reference programme suits your needs. Appliances of different sizes may not meet the same requirements.
Check the figures too: kWh/year for refrigeration, kWh/100 cycles for washing and, where shown on the label, water use in litres per cycle. ADEME presents these figures as useful points of comparison to consider alongside capacity.
According to ADEME, a larger or more fully equipped refrigeration appliance may use more energy, while an oversized drum may not suit your usual loads.
Work out how much storage space or laundry capacity you need before comparing similar models.
The figures are based on standard conditions. How full the appliance is, the programme you choose, the number of cycles and the installation conditions can all affect the energy use you see at home.
Use these figures to compare appliances with the same function and a suitable capacity, then consider how you actually use them before deciding whether to replace your old appliance.
If a fault looks repairable, a diagnosis can help you decide whether replacement is necessary. For washing machines covered by the scheme in France, the durability index also provides information about reliability and repairability, according to ADEME.
If you replace the appliance, find out about suitable take-back or drop-off options for waste electrical equipment. The French ministry responsible for the ecological transition lists collection points, recycling centres and retail outlets among the options.
Bosch offers refrigeration appliances, washing machines and dishwashers in France. Its energy label information can help you identify which figures to compare for each category.
Miele offers washing machines, dishwashers and fridge-freezers in France, with features that vary by model.
Beko offers laundry, dishwashing and refrigeration appliances in France, including fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers.
These models suit two situations: replacing a fridge-freezer or choosing a washing machine to suit your usual loads. Before comparing their energy use, check the capacity you need, the label for the exact model and any installation requirements.
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Worth considering if your usual loads suit a 7 kg drum.
Spin speed listed as 1,400 rpm; energy rating A. Check the energy use on the label for the exact model and make sure your home has the required connections.
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Worth considering as a replacement fridge-freezer if a total capacity of 333 L suits your storage needs.
Energy rating C listed. Compare the kWh/year with fridge-freezers of a similar capacity and check the clearance needed for installation.
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Worth considering if you want a top-loading machine and your loads suit a 7 kg capacity.
Spin speed listed as 1,200 rpm; energy rating A. Check that a top-loading machine fits the space you have and consult the label to compare cycles.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a fridge-freezer and need a total capacity of 344 L.
Energy rating E listed. Compare the kWh/year with fridge-freezers of a similar capacity and check the manual for the clearance needed for ventilation.
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Worth considering if you regularly wash large enough loads to make use of a 10 kg capacity.
Spin speed listed as 1,400 rpm; energy rating A. If your loads are usually smaller, compare machines with a more suitable capacity too, and check the kWh per 100 cycles on their labels.
Start by checking the energy use of your current appliance and how you use it, then compare it with a replacement that has the same function and a similar size. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, but that alone isn’t enough to justify replacing your fridge before a heavily used washing appliance.
No. The kWh figures on the label are for comparing appliances under standard conditions; they don’t guarantee how much energy an appliance will use in your home. For refrigeration, check the kWh/year; for washing machines and dishwashers, check the kWh/100 cycles. How often you use the appliance and which programme you choose still matter.
Check its energy label and product record in EPREL, using the label’s QR code if you prefer. ADEME explains how the label links to the registered information, and the European Commission describes EPREL as a public tool for finding details of the models covered.
For washing machines, the energy use shown relates to the Eco 40-60 programme. For dishwashers, the Eco programme is used as the reference for the figures shown. These figures are useful for comparing models, but check that the programme suits what you usually wash and take its duration into account.
Waste electrical equipment can be taken to an appropriate collection point instead of being put out with general rubbish. In France, the ministry responsible for the ecological transition lists options including collection points and recycling centres, returning the appliance to a retailer, or giving it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. Check the arrangements at your chosen location.