When you’re buying an appliance or replacing one you were already planning to renew, start by looking at refrigeration appliances, which run continuously. Then compare washing machines and dishwashers if you use them frequently; your TV may also be worth comparing. ADEME recommends basing your choice on how you actually use the appliance: compare models in the same category and with a similar capacity, then consider energy consumption alongside the other points on the label. Don’t assume this will guarantee savings in your home.
If you’re furnishing your home or replacing a fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer, compare annual energy consumption for models with a similar capacity and intended use. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously.
For a washing machine or dishwasher, the figures for the reference programme can help you compare models with a similar capacity. Water use, cycle duration and noise also matter in everyday use, as ADEME and the European Commission point out.
If you’re choosing a washing machine, dishwasher or TV, the relevant durability or repairability index can provide extra information alongside the energy label. These indicators answer different questions and aren’t interchangeable.
First, decide which appliance and capacity you need. Then compare its reference figures with models that offer a similar level of performance. After that, weigh up water use, noise, cycle duration or repairability according to how you’ll use it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration appliances | For fridges or freezers with a similar format and capacity, compare kWh per year, compartments and noise levels. | When my fridge runs day and night, I want to choose a suitable capacity without overlooking its annual energy consumption; around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Washing cycles | For models with a similar capacity, compare kWh per 100 cycles, water use per cycle and the duration of the reference programme. | If I do laundry or washing-up often, I want to understand what each cycle means for my usage; this would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Capacity and convenience | Check the capacity you’ll actually use, as well as noise, water use or cycle duration, depending on the appliance. | In an open-plan kitchen or when I usually have smaller loads, I don’t want an appliance that’s too large or inconvenient to use; around 17% of consumers would put this balance first. |
| Screen and longevity | For a TV, compare energy consumption, screen size and the modes shown on the label; check the relevant durability index. | If I’m replacing a screen or want to keep an appliance that can be repaired for longer, I want to look beyond its energy rating; this need would come first for around 17% of consumers. |
The units on the label vary by category: according to the European Commission, refrigeration appliances show annual energy consumption, while washing figures are based on reference cycles. These figures alone therefore can’t tell you which purchase would make the biggest difference to your household’s energy use.
These figures describe different patterns of use: refrigeration appliances run continuously, while washing appliances depend on how many cycles you run. The difference between them isn’t enough to rank two potential replacements.
First compare appliances within the same category and with a similar capacity, then consider the figures in relation to how you use them.
A larger capacity or extra features change what an appliance can do. ADEME recommends considering the appliance’s size rather than looking at its energy rating in isolation.
Work out how much storage space you need or what your usual load size is before comparing similar models.
For washing machines and dishwashers, the reference programme gives you information beyond electricity use. A longer Eco cycle or a noise level that doesn’t suit your home can affect everyday use.
Make a note of the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, programme duration, capacity and noise levels for the appliances you’re comparing.
The energy label describes reference energy consumption and usage characteristics; a durability or repairability index tells you about other aspects of the product. Neither one, on its own, tells you about the other.
For the relevant categories, check the energy label and the applicable index separately before replacing your appliance.
These fridge-freezers and this freezer are relevant to the step of comparing appliances that run continuously. Before choosing, check the annual energy consumption on the label for the exact model and compare it only with appliances in a format and capacity suited to your needs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with the right capacity for your storage needs.
The product title states 333 L, No Frost and an A rating. Check the annual energy consumption on the label for the exact model and confirm the dimensions before comparing it with another fridge-freezer.
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Consider this model if you need a large amount of storage space and a four-door layout.
The product title states 467 L and an E rating. Check the label for the exact model, then compare its overall size and annual energy consumption with appliances of a similar capacity.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of storage space, provided the format suits your kitchen.
The product title states 495 L and an E rating. Check the label for the exact model, and confirm the dimensions and installation requirements for the water and ice dispenser before buying.
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Consider this model if you’re looking for a large capacity with a frost-free system.
The product title states 444 L, an E rating and 40 dB. Check the annual energy consumption on the label for the exact model and measure the space available before choosing this size.
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Worth considering if you need a dedicated freezer rather than a fridge-freezer.
The product title states 161 L and a C rating. Check the annual energy consumption on the label for the exact model, then confirm its dimensions and noise level suit the space where you plan to put it.
Not directly. According to the European Commission, the label for a refrigeration appliance shows annual energy consumption, while a washing machine’s label includes kWh per 100 reference cycles. First compare each appliance with models in the same category and with a similar capacity; these figures alone won’t tell you which replacement would make the biggest difference to your energy use.
No. It provides a standardised basis for comparing washing machines or dishwashers, not a figure specific to how you use them. How often you run cycles, the size of your loads and the settings you choose all affect your actual energy use.
It complements the energy label with information about durability, including reliability and repairability, but it doesn’t measure electricity use. For these categories, check the index and the figures on the energy label separately; information from the government departments responsible for the ecological transition treats these as two distinct considerations.
Use it as an additional criterion to assess how easy the dishwasher may be to repair, not as a measure of its energy consumption. When comparing models with a similar capacity, also check their energy labels, water consumption and reference programme duration.