Start by looking at older appliances that run continuously, then consider those your household uses most often. A fridge or freezer may be a priority, but frequent washing cycles could change the order of your purchases. To assess a replacement, compare appliances with a similar capacity and function. The difference shown on their energy labels doesn’t guarantee a specific reduction in your bill, which also depends on your old appliance, how you use it and your electricity tariff.
Your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs all the time. Before replacing it, you want to know whether a similar-sized model would better suit your needs, without assuming that a larger capacity means lower energy use.
You’re deciding between a dishwasher and a washing machine. The number of cycles, your usual loads and the consumption figures shown for their reference programmes can help you decide which one to look at first.
You’re thinking about replacing an oven or hob. They need to be compared using different criteria: the European Commission distinguishes between energy labels for ovens and ecodesign requirements for hobs.
First, identify the appliance you’re considering replacing and how often you use it, then compare models that do the same job. According to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously. For laundry and dishwashing, compare the consumption shown per cycle with how often your household actually uses the appliance.
| Your concern | What to check before buying | Who this applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Always-on cooling | Compare the annual consumption shown for fridges or freezers with a similar capacity and configuration. Check that any extra features would be useful in practice. | My old appliance stays plugged in day and night; I want to know whether replacing it should come before other purchases. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this need for cooling appliances. |
| Frequent dishwasher use | For models of a similar size, check the kWh per 100 reference cycles, water use per cycle and place settings capacity. | I run the dishwasher often and want a capacity that suits my loads, without assuming that the Eco cycle reflects all the programmes I use. For around 25% of consumers, these cycles are their main concern. |
| Frequent laundry | Compare the kWh per 100 cycles for the Eco 40-60 programme with the capacity in kg and the amount of laundry you usually wash. | My regular laundry could justify a new washing machine, but a large drum is only useful if I fill it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Replacing a cooking appliance | For an oven, check its energy label. For a hob, check the technology, dimensions and cookware compatibility rather than looking for the same label. | I’m already replacing a cooking appliance I use a lot and want to choose using the criteria specific to an oven or hob. Around 25% of consumers put this replacement first. |
Appliances with different capacities don’t necessarily do the same job. The rating alone doesn’t tell you the consumption figure, or whether the volume, place settings or test programme used for the measurement suits your needs.
Check the consumption figure and the features on the label for the model you’re considering, and make sure they match your household’s needs.
ADEME’s guidance and the standardised figures on energy labels don’t, on their own, tell you how much your old appliance uses or reflect all the ways you use it.
To estimate running costs, use the consumption figure for the exact model, your cycles or usage times, and your electricity tariff. Keep this estimate separate from any savings you could actually make.
A larger fridge or freezer, or one with features you don’t use, could affect the consumption you’re trying to reduce. ADEME says that a 7 kg capacity is enough for most washing machine users, but you should still consider the size of your usual loads.
Choose the fridge or freezer capacity, place settings or drum size to suit your household’s everyday use.
Replacement isn’t the only option if the appliance can be repaired. When a refrigerating appliance is discarded, it needs to go through an appropriate collection route, particularly to ensure its refrigerants are dealt with properly.
Consider repair before you buy. If you do replace the appliance, arrange to hand it over to a retailer, a take-back service or an appropriate collection scheme.
These brands offer categories you can compare for cooling, laundry or cooking. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee the features of any particular model or its availability on Joybuy.
In France, Bosch offers fridges and freezers, dishwashers and washing machines.
Miele France offers washing machines, dishwashers, fridge-freezers and cooking appliances.
Beko France offers cooling, laundry and cooking appliances.
These induction hobs are options to consider when replacing a hob, particularly as part of a kitchen update. Their installation details can help you assess whether they’re suitable, but aren’t enough on their own to show that replacing your hob should come before cooling or laundry appliances in your household.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a built-in four-zone hob. The product name mentions touch controls, a timer, a child lock and a residual heat indicator.
Before buying, check the cut-out dimensions, electrical supply and whether your pans are suitable for induction. These features don’t tell you how much energy you could save compared with your current hob.
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An option to consider if your built-in four-zone hob needs replacing. The model is listed with nine power levels.
Before choosing this model, check the cut-out, electrical connection and whether your pans are suitable for induction. Its power levels aren’t a measure of electricity savings.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a hob and a semi-flush design suits your kitchen. The model name specifies a two-phase Perilex connection.
Check the cut-out dimensions and electrical supply compatibility before installation. The design and connection type don’t indicate how much energy you could save in your household.
Yes. If it belongs to a category covered by this requirement, its energy label must also be available when it’s sold online. The DGCCRF includes fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and ovens among the examples. Check the model’s category before comparing its figures.
Start with the kWh per 100 cycles shown for the exact model: divide this figure by 100, then multiply it by your annual number of cycles and your electricity price per kWh. As ADEME explains, the label figure is based on a reference cycle, so the result doesn’t reflect every programme or guarantee savings.
No. Don’t treat the letters as directly equivalent ratings. Beko France explains that the scale has changed for several product groups, including cooling appliances, washing machines and dishwashers. When comparing current models, compare their consumption figures and capacities using labels from the same generation.
No. The European Commission’s list distinguishes between energy labels for domestic ovens and ecodesign requirements for hobs. When replacing a hob, check its technology, dimensions and whether your cookware is compatible; don’t apply oven energy-label data to a hob.
No. Consider whether it can be repaired before deciding. If you choose to replace it, compare the consumption and capacity of appliances with the same function, then arrange for your old refrigerating appliance to be collected appropriately.