Households replacing a built-in appliance
If you’re keeping the cabinet and its door front, measure the housing unit and identify the existing door fixing. Choosing an appliance of a similar height does not guarantee that it will fit.
Who are these options for?
Households that regularly freeze food
A fridge-freezer combines refrigeration and freezing, but the space allocated to each compartment varies by model. Compare both capacities with the amount of fresh and frozen food you usually store.
Compact kitchens or a focus on fresh food
A low housing unit may call for a compact built-in appliance. If you mainly need fresh-food storage, a fridge with one door could also work, as long as you make other arrangements for the freezer space you need.
What should you check before choosing?
First rule out any models that won’t fit your cabinet, then compare the space available for fresh and frozen food. Energy-use figures can then help you choose between appliances suited to the same needs.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet compatibility | Compare the internal measurements of the housing unit with the model’s installation diagram. Check the door fixing — suitable sliding hinges or fixed hinges — along with the opening direction and clearance needed for the door. | I’m keeping my fitted kitchen, so the appliance and its door must work with the existing cabinet. I shouldn’t assume that two models of the same height are interchangeable. |
| Capacity by compartment | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then look at the interior layout. Electrolux and Whirlpool product details show the difference between a fridge-freezer with both compartments and a fridge with one door and no freezer. | I often freeze meals or groceries, so dedicated freezer space matters as much as the total capacity. If a separate freezer already meets my needs, I can prioritise fresh-food storage. |
| Ventilation | Check the air inlets and outlets specified in the model’s instructions and installation diagram. Electrolux specifies a low-level air inlet and a high-level outlet for its built-in fridges; the cut-outs required will depend on the planned installation. | In an enclosed cabinet, I want to keep the necessary air passages clear without changing the installation specified for the appliance I choose. |
| Energy use and noise | For appliances with comparable functions and capacities, check the annual energy consumption in kWh/year and the noise level listed for each model. You can look up the model in EPREL, the European Commission’s public register. | My kitchen opens onto the living area, so the stated noise level is worth considering, along with energy use and usable capacity. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Looking only at the stated height
A built-in fridge must also fit the housing unit and work with the door-front fixing. Bosch, for example, distinguishes between sliding hinges and fixed hinges.
Measure the inside of the cabinet, check its current door fixing and compare these details with the exact model’s instructions before ordering.
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Comparing only the total capacity
Manufacturer specifications show why this figure can be misleading: the Electrolux KNS3SE18S has 179 L of fridge capacity and 70 L of freezer capacity, while the Whirlpool WHSD18A041B1 FR has 306 L of fridge capacity and no freezer compartment.
Make a note of what you usually store, then compare the capacity and layout of each compartment.
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Blocking the cabinet’s ventilation
A built-in appliance needs the air passages specified for its installation. UFC-Que Choisir points out that installation and use affect the energy consumption of refrigeration appliances.
Follow the ventilation diagram for the model you’re installing, rather than using a plan intended for a different fridge.
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Leaving the old appliance until delivery day
In France, the decree of 8 October 2014 published on Légifrance states that when a new appliance is delivered to its place of use, the old appliance must be collected from that location at the time of delivery.
Arrange collection with the seller before delivery and explain how the kitchen can be accessed.
A guide to the brands
The details below apply to the specific models mentioned, not every appliance from each brand. They offer useful points of comparison when checking your housing unit and your household’s needs.
Bosch
Bosch offers built-in fridges with one door, as well as guidance on door-fixing systems.
- According to its product details, the KIR41SFE0 is built-in and uses fixed hinges.
- This model has no freezer compartment, so you’ll need another option if you want to store frozen food.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers several built-in formats, including fridge-freezers with both fridge and freezer compartments.
- The KNS3SE18S product details specify a 1,780 mm housing height, sliding hinges, 179 L of fridge capacity and 70 L of freezer capacity.
- These dimensions and this fixing system apply to this specific model. Check the instructions before comparing it with your cabinet.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool product details include information such as the capacity and annual energy consumption of its built-in appliances.
- Its WHSD18A041B1 FR product details specify 306 L of fridge capacity, no freezer capacity and 113 kWh/year.
- This model suits fresh-food storage, but it won’t replace a freezer.
Fridges available on Joybuy
These built-in models offer three ways to organise refrigeration in a fitted kitchen: a fridge-freezer, a fridge with one door and a freezer compartment, or a fridge with one door. For each one, compare the configuration you need and check that it will fit your cabinet.
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Hisense RB3B250SAWC, 252 L built-in fridge-freezer
This built-in fridge-freezer combines fridge and freezer compartments. The product title specifies No Frost and an energy rating of C. Before choosing it for your kitchen, check that your cabinet meets its requirements for the housing unit, ventilation and door fixing.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, built-in TwinTech No Frost fridge-freezer
This built-in model combines fridge and freezer compartments, and the product title specifies an energy rating of E. Confirm the capacity of each compartment, as the listed figures don’t add up to the stated total. Also check the housing unit, ventilation and door-front fitting.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L fridge with one door and freezer
This built-in fridge with one door could suit households that mainly store fresh food but also need a freezer compartment for some frozen items. The freezer has limited capacity and needs manual defrosting, so check that it suits your habits. Then check the housing unit, ventilation and rail fitting in the instructions.
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SMEG S4L120E, built-in fridge with one door
This fridge with one door is designed for fresh-food storage, so you’ll need a separate solution for any freezer space you require. Confirm its capacity before buying, as the figures listed differ, and check the documentation for ventilation and door-front fixing.
Frequently asked questions
Can an appliance of the same height replace my built-in fridge?
Not on height alone. Compare your existing cabinet with the new model’s instructions for housing-unit dimensions, ventilation, door-front fixing, opening direction and clearance.
How do I compare a fridge-freezer with a fridge that has one door?
Compare their fridge and freezer capacities separately, then look at the interior layout. According to their product details, the Electrolux KNS3SE18S has 179 L of fresh-food capacity and 70 L of freezer capacity, while the Whirlpool WHSD18A041B1 FR has 306 L of fresh-food capacity and no freezer compartment. Your choice will also depend on how you plan to store frozen food.
Where can I check the energy details for a specific model?
Check the details and label for the exact model, including in EPREL, the European Commission’s public register for refrigeration appliances. Make sure the model reference matches the one you’re thinking of buying.
What should I arrange for my old fridge when a new one is delivered in France?
Arrange collection before delivery. The decree of 8 October 2014 published on Légifrance states that when a new appliance is delivered to its place of use, the old appliance must be collected from that location at the time of delivery. Confirm the practical arrangements and access to the appliance with the seller.