Start by checking an older fridge or freezer, which runs continuously, then look at your laundry and dishwashing appliances in light of how often you actually use them. When considering a replacement, compare kWh per year for refrigeration or kWh per 100 cycles for washing, while also taking into account the capacity you need and whether your current appliance can be repaired.
If your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer has been running for a long time, it’s worth checking its annual energy use. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously; you should also check whether their capacity still meets your household’s needs.
If you often run your washing machine or dishwasher, compare the figures per cycle with your usual loading habits. Capacity, water use, the duration of the standard programme and noise levels may also influence your choice.
If your appliance still meets your needs or has a fault that can be repaired, compare the cost of a repair assessment with the price of a new one. In France, the relevant repairability and durability indices for washing machines and dishwashers can also help you choose a new model, but they don’t determine what you should do with your current appliance.
To decide which appliance to replace first, consider how it works and how you use it, then compare models with a suitable capacity. ADEME and the European Commission distinguish between annual energy use for refrigeration and figures based on washing cycles.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous refrigeration | Energy use in kWh/year and the fridge and freezer capacities. | If my old appliance stays plugged in day and night, I want to know whether replacing it should be a priority. Around 42% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Frequent washing cycles | kWh per 100 cycles and capacity, considered alongside how many cycles you run and your usual loads. | When I run appliances often, I need to compare the standard figures with how I actually load them. This would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Choosing the right appliance or repairing | The capacity you need and whether your current appliance can be repaired before you buy. | If my appliance can still be used, I’d rather avoid replacing it too soon or choosing one that’s too large. This would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
These figures relate to different patterns of use: a fridge runs continuously, whereas a washing machine or dishwasher is assessed using standard cycles. Comparing them as they are could give you the wrong idea about which appliances to look at first.
For refrigeration, check annual energy use. For washing, take into account how many cycles you run and which programme you use.
Extra capacity is only useful if it suits your household’s usual loads or storage needs. ADEME notes, for example, that a 7 kg washing machine is usually sufficient.
Consider your usual loads or the amount you need to store before choosing the size of your new appliance.
A fault alone doesn’t tell you whether buying a new appliance is the right decision. French repairability and durability indices provide information about models in the relevant categories, but they don’t diagnose your appliance.
Ask for a repair assessment or quote, then weigh up that option against your current needs. If you’re choosing a new appliance, check the index that applies to its category.
These fridge-freezers and this dishwasher offer two options to consider for replacement: an appliance that runs continuously or one that you use in cycles. Before deciding to buy, compare their capacity and energy label figures with those of your current appliance.
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Worth considering if you’re thinking of replacing an appliance that runs continuously. The product title lists a capacity of 333 L, No Frost technology and an A energy rating; check the label for the exact model and make sure the capacity suits your household.
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Consider this if you use a dishwasher often and want to check whether its capacity suits your usual loads. The title lists a width of 60 cm, space for 13 place settings and a B energy rating; check the fitted dimensions and figures per cycle on the label for the exact model.
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Before replacing a fridge-freezer, check that its capacity matches your household’s actual storage needs. The title lists four doors, 467 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating; check the annual energy use on the label for the exact model.
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Compare this with your current appliance if you’re looking for this much storage space. The title lists a capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating; check the kWh/year figure, dimensions and compartment layout for the exact model before deciding whether this capacity is right for you.
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Worth considering if a capacity of 444 L suits your storage needs. The title lists an E energy rating, frost-free technology and a noise level of 40 dB; check the annual energy use, external dimensions and capacity of each compartment before buying.
Because their energy labels show consumption over different periods of use. The European Commission specifies an annual figure for fridges and freezers, while washing machines and dishwashers show a figure per 100 cycles. How often you wash therefore matters when making your decision.
No. Also compare the consumption figure in the unit used for that appliance and choose a capacity that suits your household. Depending on the category, ADEME also recommends checking features such as noise levels, water use and the duration of the standard programme.
For washing machines, the European Commission bases energy efficiency and water-use requirements on the Eco 40-60 programme; for dishwashers, the label is based on the Eco programme. If you use other programmes, the standard figures won’t necessarily reflect each of your cycles.
No. The index provides information about a new model, not about the fault or whether repairing your current appliance is worthwhile. In France, information from the ministries responsible for the ecological transition distinguishes between the durability index for washing machines and the repairability index for dishwashers. A diagnosis is still needed to assess a specific fault.