Start by looking at the appliance you use continuously or very frequently, provided replacing it meets a genuine need. A fridge or freezer is often worth considering because it runs continuously, as ADEME points out. For washing and cooking appliances, the frequency of use, usable capacity and whether the appliance can be maintained or repaired may affect your priorities. Then compare the information specific to each category, without assuming that average consumption figures will predict how an appliance performs in your home.
If your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer no longer has the capacity you need, check its annual energy consumption before choosing a replacement. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
If you use your washing machine or dishwasher frequently, compare the figures on its energy label with the number of cycles you run, your usual loads and the programme duration you can accept. The European Commission explains which programmes are used as the reference for these figures.
If the appliance still meets your needs, first identify the cause of the problem and whether maintenance or repair is an option. ADEME suggests tasks such as descaling, defrosting and cleaning filters, depending on the appliance.
To decide which appliance to look at first, consider how you use it and its condition, then compare models in the same category that offer the capacity you need. An annual figure for refrigeration, a figure per 100 washing cycles and a figure per cooking cycle are not directly comparable ways to rank these three types of appliance.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous refrigeration | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and usable capacity across refrigeration appliances of a suitable type and size for your needs. | If my fridge or freezer runs all the time and no longer has the capacity I need, I want to consider replacing it first; around 33% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Washing cycles | Match the capacity to your usual loads, then check the kWh per 100 cycles, water consumption per cycle and duration of the reference programme. | When the laundry or washing-up piles up, I want to know whether the capacity and cycles being compared suit the way I use the appliance; around 27% of consumers put this need first. |
| Oven cooking | Check the oven capacity and its energy consumption per cycle in the mode you use, such as conventional or fan-assisted cooking. | If I use my oven regularly and already need to consider replacing it, I want to compare the cooking mode that matters to me; around 20% of consumers put this question first. |
| Maintenance or repair | Ask for the cause of the problem to be identified and look into possible maintenance or repairs before choosing a new appliance. | If performance has dropped but no fault has been confirmed, I’d rather find out what can be fixed before replacing the appliance; around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
Two fridges with different capacities or designs may not meet the same needs. The European Commission says that labels for refrigeration appliances also show annual energy consumption and capacity.
Work out how much storage you need, then compare the annual energy consumption of appliances with a suitable design and capacity.
Energy label figures are for comparing reference programmes; they don’t automatically describe every cycle you run at home. The European Commission, for example, bases washing machine information on the ‘eco 40-60’ programme.
Check that the capacity and duration of this programme work for you, then consider the programmes you actually use.
The European Commission explains that energy labelling is compulsory for ovens and cooker hoods, but not for hobs. So a figure per cycle shown for an oven cannot be used to assess a hob.
For an oven, compare its capacity and the figures for the relevant cooking mode. For a hob, check the information provided for that specific model.
A filter that needs cleaning, ice build-up or limescale may call for maintenance rather than replacement. However, this doesn’t mean you should keep using an appliance with a safety fault.
Check which maintenance tasks are suitable and, if necessary, have a fault diagnosed before deciding whether to keep or replace the appliance.
These Joybuy models relate to two decisions covered here: replacing a refrigeration appliance with a capacity that suits your household, or choosing a washing machine to handle your usual loads. Before comparing energy consumption figures, check the label for the exact model and make sure it will fit your installation requirements.
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Worth considering if your usual loads call for an 11 kg capacity. Before comparing it with other washing machines, check the energy and water consumption figures on the exact model’s label, along with its applicable durability index.
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Worth considering if a total capacity of 467 L suits your storage needs. The model name indicates frost-free operation and an E energy rating; check its annual energy consumption on the label and the dimensions required for installation.
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Worth considering if you need a total capacity of 444 L. The model name lists frost-free operation, a noise level of 40 dB and an E energy rating; check the label, dimensions and required clearances before making a decision.
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Worth considering if a 6 kg capacity suits your laundry loads. The model name lists 1,400 rpm, 17 programmes and a B energy rating; check the exact model’s label for the basis of the figures per 100 cycles and its durability index.
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Worth considering if a total capacity of 360 L meets your storage needs. The model name indicates frost-free operation and an E energy rating; check its annual energy consumption on the label and make sure you have enough space for installation.
There’s no one-size-fits-all order. Look first at the appliance you use continuously or very frequently, and only replace it if there’s a genuine need. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously; for washing and cooking, how often you use the appliance and its condition also affect the decision.
No. Consider it alongside the relevant figures and capacity for appliances in the same category. The European Commission says that refrigeration labels show annual energy consumption and capacity, washing machine labels give figures based on reference cycles, and oven labels show consumption per cycle. The QR code on the label links to the model’s product information sheet in EPREL.
No. According to the European Commission, reference figures for washing machines relate to the ‘eco 40-60’ programme. They let you compare models on the same basis, but don’t automatically reflect the energy consumption of other programmes you use.
In France, check the durability index for applicable new washing machines and the repairability index for applicable dishwashers. ADEME says the durability requirement has also applied to washing machines since April 2025. These indices complement your comparison of how you use the appliance and its energy label.
Yes, if suitable maintenance fixes the problem and the appliance still meets your needs. ADEME suggests descaling a washing machine, defrosting a fridge and cleaning filters. However, have a fault or safety issue diagnosed rather than assuming that basic maintenance will be enough.