Start by looking at appliances that run continuously, such as your fridge and freezer, then consider those you use frequently. Before deciding whether to replace an appliance, compare its stated energy use with the capacity you need: refrigeration is measured in kWh/year, dishwashers in kWh/100 cycles and ovens in kWh/cycle. These figures alone can’t tell you how much replacing an appliance will affect your bill.
A fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously. If you’re thinking of replacing yours, compare its kWh/year with the storage space you actually need. ADEME points out that a larger or over-equipped appliance can use more energy.
If you run regular loads, match the place settings to the amount of washing-up your household produces. The EU energy label also lets you compare energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water per cycle, programme duration and noise.
Choosing an oven and a hob involves two separate decisions. For an oven, check its capacity and kWh per cycle for each cooking mode. For an induction hob, check that your cookware and electrical installation are compatible.
Start with how often you use it and the capacity you need, then check the energy figure in the unit relevant to that type of appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity use | Identify appliances that run continuously, as well as how often you actually wash and cook. Don’t add together kWh/year, kWh/100 cycles and kWh/cycle figures. | I want to look at the things that affect my bills without losing capacity I need. According to the 2025 Energy-info Barometer by France’s national energy ombudsman, conducted in September 2025 among 2,000 households in mainland France, 85% of households surveyed felt that their energy bills took up a significant part of their budget. Among households that changed their habits to reduce energy use, 87% did so to lower their bills; these figures do not measure appliance-buying criteria. |
| Cold storage | For a fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer, compare kWh/year, the usable compartment capacities and noise levels across appliances of a similar type and size. ADEME and the European Commission describe these indicators for domestic refrigeration. | I need enough space for fresh or frozen food, without choosing extra capacity I won’t use. |
| Regular washing | According to ADEME and the European Commission, a dishwasher’s energy label shows, among other things, the Eco programme’s kWh/100 cycles, litres per cycle, place settings and programme duration. Compare noise levels too if the appliance’s location makes this important. | I’m looking for a capacity that suits the amount of washing-up we usually have, and a programme duration that fits around my routine. |
| Oven cooking | The European Commission says an oven’s energy label shows kWh/cycle for conventional and fan-assisted cooking, as well as its capacity in litres. Compare ovens with a similar capacity and using the same cooking mode. | My dishes need to fit in the oven, but a larger capacity is only useful if it suits the meals I make. |
| Choosing a hob | The European Commission states that hobs are not required to carry an energy label. If you’re considering induction, check that your cookware and electrical installation are compatible. | I want a hob that suits my saucepans, frying pans and cooking style, without assuming that one stated power rating tells me how much energy it uses. |
| Long-term use | For relevant appliances, check the stated noise level. In France, a dishwasher’s repairability index gives it a score out of 10, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition; check the score for the model you’re considering. | Noise matters to me in an open-plan kitchen. I also want to be able to assess how repairable a dishwasher is before choosing one. |
The class doesn’t tell you what capacity you’ll get or how much energy the appliance uses in the relevant unit. A small fridge and a large fridge-freezer don’t meet the same storage needs.
Compare kWh/year and capacity for refrigeration. For a dishwasher, consider kWh/100 cycles alongside the place settings and water per cycle. For an oven, compare the same cooking mode and a similar capacity.
ADEME notes that a larger or over-equipped refrigeration appliance can increase your bill, even though it runs continuously. On the other hand, a dishwasher that’s too small may mean you have to run more cycles.
Consider separately how much fresh food, frozen food and washing-up you usually need to store or clean, then choose a capacity that covers those needs.
The European Commission says hobs aren’t required to carry an energy label, unlike ovens. Their information therefore can’t be compared in the same way as two oven labels.
For an induction hob, check that your cookware and electrical installation are compatible. When cooking, use a pan that’s the right size for the amount of food and put a lid on when the recipe allows.
In France, the repairability index indicates how easy or difficult it is to repair the dishwashers it covers, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. It complements energy-use figures; it doesn’t replace them.
Check the score out of 10 for the model you’re considering and look up the available information on spare parts and maintenance, as well as its energy label.
In France, Bosch offers fridges and fridge-freezers with product details that let you check the energy label.
The French range includes integrated dishwashers. Published figures should be considered in relation to the specific model and installation format.
Whirlpool offers built-in ovens and provides user manuals and support information.
This selection includes fridge-freezers for continuous food storage and a portable induction hob for cooking. Compare each appliance with others in its category, bearing in mind the capacity or cookware you need.
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This fridge-freezer combines fresh and frozen food storage in an appliance that runs continuously. Compare its 333 L capacity and class C rating with the capacity and kWh/year figures of similar models. Also check how much room you’ll need to install it.
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If you need fresh and frozen food storage, consider whether the total 344 L capacity gives you enough useful space in each compartment. The class E rating isn’t enough to estimate energy use: check the kWh/year on the label for the exact model and make sure you have enough space for it.
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This 467 L fridge-freezer is suited to households that need plenty of storage space. Before choosing its four-door design and class E rating, check how the capacity is divided between fresh and frozen food, the kWh/year figure and the space needed to open the doors.
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The total capacity of 444 L may suit households with substantial storage needs. To see if it’s right for you, check the separate fridge and freezer capacities, along with the external dimensions. Then compare the kWh/year figure with those of similar-sized appliances.
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This portable hob can provide extra cooking space if its size suits your needs. It’s stated to work with compatible cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm; check that your pans are suitable for induction too. Its 2,000 W power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much electricity it will use while cooking.
No. According to ADEME and the European Commission, refrigeration is labelled in kWh/year, dishwashers in kWh/100 cycles for the Eco programme, and ovens in kWh/cycle for each cooking mode. First compare appliances in the same category with a similar capacity, then consider how often you’ll use them.
Because capacity determines whether an appliance meets your needs: litres for refrigeration compartments, place settings for a dishwasher and oven cavity capacity. ADEME warns in particular that a larger or over-equipped refrigeration appliance can use more energy, so compare its class with its kWh/year figure and usable capacity.
Yes, for the figures on the label. ADEME and the European Commission state that energy use per 100 cycles, water per cycle and programme duration are based on the reference Eco programme. Check the duration if you regularly need a shorter cycle.
No. The European Commission states that hobs aren’t required to carry an energy label. If you’re considering induction, check that your cookware and electrical installation are compatible. The stated power rating alone doesn’t measure how much energy your cooking will use.
In France, check the repairability index for the model you’re considering. According to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, its score out of 10 indicates how easy or difficult the appliance is to repair. Use it alongside the energy label; it doesn’t measure electricity use.