Start by looking at appliances that keep food cold, as they run continuously. Then compare their energy consumption and capacity with those of a model suited to your household. For dishwashers and cooking appliances, your priorities will depend more on how often and how you use them. If your current appliance still meets your needs, consider having it assessed for repair before replacing it.
A fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously. If yours is old or no longer suits the amount of food you store, compare its annual energy consumption and capacity with those of an appliance of the same type.
How often you run a cycle and your cooking habits affect whether replacing an appliance is worthwhile. The figures to check also vary: a dishwasher’s consumption per 100 Eco cycles, an oven’s consumption per cycle, or a hob’s usage characteristics.
If its capacity and features still meet your needs, a diagnosis can help you decide whether repair is a realistic option. Check which parts are needed and the appliance’s overall condition before choosing a replacement.
First, compare each appliance with the job it does in your home. Annual kWh for refrigeration, washing cycles and cooking modes are not directly comparable.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge and freezer | Compare kWh/year for appliances of the same type and a similar capacity. Check the usable volume and the exact model’s entry in EPREL, the European Commission’s database. | My appliance runs all year round: does its capacity still suit what I store? The ADEME’s 2026 published averages are 180 kWh/year for a fridge, 315 kWh/year for a fridge-freezer and 300 kWh/year for a freezer; they do not describe my appliance. |
| Dishwasher | According to the ADEME, the energy label shows kWh per 100 reference cycles, water consumption per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level. Compare these figures with how many cycles you run. | If I use the dishwasher often, is its capacity right for my usual loads? A figure based on the Eco programme may not reflect how other programmes perform. |
| Electric hob | The European Commission says energy labels are not compulsory for hobs. Check the technology, cooking zone sizes and whether your cookware is compatible. | I cook regularly: would a new hob suit my pans and the way I cook? Choosing induction alone does not guarantee lower energy consumption. |
| Electric oven | Compare usable volume and kWh per cycle for the cooking mode you use. GuideTopten.fr distinguishes conventional and fan-assisted cooking on the energy label. | Do I use my oven often enough for its consumption per cycle to affect my decision? I’m looking for a capacity that suits the quantities I usually cook. |
| Repair | Ask for a diagnosis, identify the parts needed and consider the appliance’s overall condition. For relevant categories, also check the repairability index listed by the ADEME. | The appliance still does its job: could a repair extend its useful life in good working order, or do its limitations mean it’s time for a replacement? |
Age alone does not tell you which replacement would make the biggest difference to your energy consumption. The ADEME’s published averages for each category do not predict the consumption of every individual appliance.
Note down the type, condition, capacity and frequency of use of your appliances. Then compare consumption figures for equivalent categories and under comparable conditions.
Two appliances of different sizes will not necessarily do the same job. For dishwashers, the figures on the label are also based on a reference cycle.
Compare the capacity with your actual loads, then look at kWh, water consumption and Eco programme duration together.
Unlike some other kitchen appliances, hobs do not have to display an energy label, according to the European Commission.
Instead, check that your cookware is compatible and that the cooking zones suit the pans you use. A suitably sized pan and a lid also make a difference while cooking.
A specific fault does not necessarily mean the whole appliance needs replacing. However, European rules requiring certain dishwasher parts to be available do not guarantee that a particular repair will be possible.
Ask a repairer to identify the fault and the parts needed, then weigh up this option against the appliance’s condition and whether it still meets your needs.
These brands feature in GuideTopten.fr’s French selections. Compare the specific model, its capacity and its energy consumption rather than choosing on brand name alone.
GuideTopten.fr features Liebherr models in its fridge and freezer selections.
Bosch fridges and freezers feature in GuideTopten.fr’s selections.
GuideTopten.fr includes Miele models in its fridge and freezer selections.
GuideTopten.fr features Whirlpool models among its fridges and dishwashers.
Hisense fridges feature in GuideTopten.fr’s selection.
These options include fridge-freezers and a compact dishwasher. Before deciding whether to replace one of these appliances, first compare its capacity and how you use it with your current appliance.
Image unavailable
This fridge-freezer may be worth considering if you’re replacing an appliance that runs continuously and need a capacity of 333 L.
Check the annual energy consumption on the label or in EPREL for this exact model, and make sure you have enough space to install it.
Image unavailable
Compare this 344 L fridge-freezer with the capacity your household actually needs.
Check the kWh/year for this exact model on its label or in EPREL, then make sure you have the required space and clearances.
Image unavailable
Before replacing a smaller fridge-freezer, consider whether its 467 L capacity is right for the amount of food you store.
The model name indicates Total No Frost functionality. Check the kWh/year for this variant on its label or in EPREL, as well as its overall dimensions.
Image unavailable
This compact dishwasher may be worth considering if you have limited space or usually wash smaller loads.
Before comparing its energy consumption with another dishwasher, check its capacity and the Eco programme figures on the label for the exact model.
Image unavailable
Consider this 444 L model if you need plenty of storage space, but don’t assume that a larger capacity will reduce your energy consumption.
The name indicates a frost-free function. Check the kWh/year for this exact model on its label or in EPREL, along with the space needed to install it.
Start with your fridge and freezer, as they run continuously, but don’t assume they necessarily need replacing. The ADEME gives annual averages of 180 kWh for a fridge, 315 kWh for a fridge-freezer and 300 kWh for a freezer. Your decision will depend on your appliance, its capacity and condition, and how you use it.
No. First compare appliances of the same type and a similar capacity, then look at kWh/year for refrigeration, kWh per 100 Eco cycles for dishwashers, or kWh per cycle for ovens. The European Commission’s EPREL database lets you check information for the exact model covered by the energy label.
No. The European Commission says there is no requirement for hobs to carry an energy label. Check the type of hob, whether your cookware is compatible and whether the cooking zones suit the pans you use.
If the dishwasher still suits your household, get it assessed for repair. A diagnosis and details of the parts needed will help you decide. The European Commission requires certain parts to be available for affected models for 10 years after they are withdrawn from the market, but this does not guarantee that a specific fault can be repaired.
The ADEME’s ‘What should I do with my items and waste?’ tool can help you find professional repairers, Répar’Acteur tradespeople and repair workshops. Some professionals are listed as offering the Repair Bonus; check with them directly to see whether your appliance is eligible.