First, check which appliances are provided and working. Then prioritise food storage, cooking and laundry if you don't already have a suitable solution. A dishwasher can wait if how often you would use it doesn't justify the space it takes up. Before ordering, check that your home's dimensions and connections meet the requirements of your chosen model.
You’ll need to sort out food storage, cooking and laundry straight away. The ADEME-EDF study of households in mainland France lists fridges, hobs and washing machines among the most commonly owned appliances in 2023, but it doesn’t establish an order of purchase that works for every home.
Space, access routes, connections and noise may matter more than extra features. When choosing a washing machine, match its capacity to your laundry needs: ADEME says that 7 kg is enough for most people.
You’ll need to identify the model, check its condition and find out who the seller is. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business, but not to private sales. The energy label required for new appliances doesn’t apply to second-hand products.
If your first home has few or no appliances, start by identifying what’s actually missing. Then check that any appliances you’re considering will suit your space and your routine.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Essential functions from day one | Make a list of the appliances provided and test them if possible. Also check whether you have practical access to a laundry facility. | Without a fridge or a way to cook, I want to be able to store food and prepare meals. I also need to do my laundry if there’s no suitable shared facility. Around 34% of consumers prioritise these immediate needs. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and access routes, then check that the available power supply and connections match the model’s instructions. | In a small home, I want to make sure the appliance will fit through the doors and into its intended space. Around 33% of consumers put suitability for their home first. |
| Energy use and lifespan | For new appliances with an energy label, compare the figures with those of similar models in the same category. For a new washing machine, check its durability index too. | If I’m going to use an appliance regularly, I want to consider its energy use and lifespan, not just its capacity. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these criteria. |
| Appliances to buy later or second-hand | For a dishwasher, consider how often you’d use it and how much space you have. For a second-hand or refurbished appliance, check its condition, model and seller. | I’d rather decide whether a dishwasher can wait or whether a second-hand appliance will meet my needs. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this decision. |
An appliance may already be in the home but missing from your initial notes, or it may be there but not working. Ordering a duplicate could take up valuable space, especially in a smaller home.
Make a list while you’re there, test the appliances if possible and keep a written record of what’s provided.
The information and scales vary by appliance category and label version. A rating letter alone isn’t enough to compare appliances from different categories.
Compare models in the same category, and check their stated energy use and capacity too. Where the label includes them, look at noise levels and water use per cycle as well.
“Refurbished” means that an item has been tested to make sure it works and repaired if necessary. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a business sells an appliance, but not to a private sale.
Ask for the exact model, any known faults and details of work carried out. Then check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase.
If an appliance needs to be taken away, arrange its removal and access to your home alongside delivery of the new one.
Tell the seller about the old appliance when you place your order, and confirm the collection arrangements and access requirements.
Check which appliances are provided, whether they work and whether they’ll stay in the home. In particular, look for a fridge, a cooking facility and a washing machine. Then work out which functions you actually need to buy an appliance for.
Not necessarily. It depends on how much washing-up your household produces, the space available, the connections and how much noise you’re happy with. If you’re thinking of buying one, compare capacity and, on the energy label for applicable models, water use per cycle, energy use per 100 cycles, the eco programme duration and noise level.
Compare the figures on their energy labels within the same category, rather than looking only at their rating letters. The indicators vary by appliance: for a dishwasher, check the kWh per 100 cycles and litres of water per cycle in particular.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers a second-hand or refurbished washing machine sold by a business, but doesn’t apply to a private sale. Check who is selling the appliance, ask for the exact model and keep your proof of purchase.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and every access route leading there. Then check the available power supply and connections. Before ordering, compare these with the dimensions and requirements in the model’s instructions.