To replace your fridge without buying one that’s unnecessarily large, first choose a format and capacity that suit your shopping habits and frozen food, then compare the kWh/year figures for similar models. A larder fridge or an under-counter model may be enough if you don’t store much frozen food; a fridge-freezer is worth considering if you need a separate freezer, while a multi-door model’s capacity, footprint and features should all be justified. The energy efficiency class alone can’t predict your household’s energy use or the savings you’ll make by replacing your appliance.
If you live alone or with one other person, shop frequently or store little frozen food, check the usable capacity of a larder fridge or under-counter model before comparing the annual energy use of similarly sized models.
If you keep frozen food or shop for the week ahead, a fridge-freezer is worth considering. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how the space is divided.
If you genuinely need separate compartments and plenty of space, weigh this up against the space available, delivery access and the appliance’s stated energy use. The extra features also matter when choosing.
Worth considering: if you store little frozen food and mainly need suitable fridge capacity.
Bear in mind: a small freezer compartment, if included, may not be suitable if you regularly buy frozen food.
Worth considering: when space is limited and you don’t need to store much.
Bear in mind: the usable capacity and any freezer compartment may limit how much shopping you can store.
Worth considering: if you need a separate freezer for your frozen food.
Bear in mind: a fridge-freezer that’s too large for your needs adds capacity without meeting a genuine storage need.
Worth considering: if your household needs plenty of space and separate compartments, and your kitchen can accommodate the appliance.
Bear in mind: weigh its footprint and any water or ice dispensers against its stated energy use.
According to the European Commission, the energy label for the domestic fridges covered includes the A to G energy efficiency class, kWh/year, capacity and noise level. Compare these details once you’ve settled on a format that suits your needs.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Stated energy use | Compare the kWh/year and A to G energy efficiency class of appliances with similar formats and capacities. | If I’m replacing my appliance to keep electricity use in check, I want to compare its energy use without overlooking the space I need. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this comparison. |
| Capacity and freezing | Check the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately, based on your shopping habits and frozen food. | When I store frozen food and shop for several days at a time, I want enough space in each compartment without choosing an oversized appliance. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise getting the right capacity. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space, access routes and door clearance; check the stated noise level. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I need to be able to fit the appliance and live with its noise every day. Around 14% of consumers would put these practical considerations first. |
| Useful features | Look at the cooling system and whether the dispensers, alarms or other features on offer would be genuinely useful. | If certain features suit my storage habits, I’d rather choose them deliberately than end up with extras I never use. Around 21% of consumers would make this a priority. |
The class doesn’t tell you the kWh/year or capacity shown on the label. Comparing a small appliance with a large multi-door fridge doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much capacity you need.
First decide on the format and capacity you need, then compare the annual energy use of the models you’re considering.
ADEME points out that the size of an appliance and having more features than you need can increase the energy use of fridges and freezers, which run continuously.
Consider how often you shop and how much frozen food you keep before choosing a multi-door model.
A water or ice dispenser can add to energy use; the width, depth and door clearance can also make installation difficult.
Measure your kitchen and access routes, then check which features you’ll actually use.
When replacing your fridge, you’ll need to decide what happens to the old one. Take-back arrangements can vary depending on the sale and delivery.
Ask the retailer how to arrange for your old appliance to be taken away, and where and when it will be collected.
Bosch’s range in France includes built-in fridge-freezers and large-capacity models. These may be worth a look, particularly if your kitchen needs an integrated appliance.
Liebherr offers larder fridges and fridge-freezers, both freestanding and built-in.
Haier’s range includes larder fridges, fridge-freezers and multi-door models, which may be worth considering if you’re looking for a large capacity.
Electrolux offers fridge-freezers, including built-in models, worth considering when the dimensions of your kitchen housing dictate the format.
These models give you a chance to explore two formats for households that need a separate freezer or plenty of space: the fridge-freezer and the multi-door fridge. Before replacing your appliance, check the exact model’s energy label for its kWh/year, the way capacity is divided and the space needed for installation.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer a fridge-freezer to an appliance without a separate freezer.
Stated total capacity: 344 L; stated energy efficiency class: E. Check the capacity split and kWh/year on the exact model’s energy label, and make sure its dimensions suit your kitchen.
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Compare it with other fridge-freezers if you need a separate freezer and want to look at a No Frost model.
Stated total capacity: 333 L; stated energy efficiency class: A. Check the kWh/year and the capacity of each compartment on the exact model’s energy label, then measure the space available.
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Worth considering if your household needs plenty of space and you’re looking for a four-door appliance.
Stated total capacity: 467 L; stated energy efficiency class: E; Total No Frost. Check the kWh/year on the exact model’s energy label and measure access routes as well as door clearance.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for plenty of space, once you’ve confirmed it suits your storage habits.
Stated total capacity: 488 L; stated energy efficiency class: E. Check the exact model’s energy label for its kWh/year and make sure you have enough space before choosing this format.
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Worth considering if your household regularly needs plenty of space split between fridge and freezer compartments.
Stated total capacity: 495 L; stated energy efficiency class: E. Compare the kWh/year and compartment capacities on the exact model’s energy label; also check its footprint and door clearance.
According to the European Commission, the European energy label for the domestic fridges covered shows the A to G energy efficiency class, annual energy use in kWh, capacity and noise level. This scale has applied since 1 March 2021. Scan the QR code to access information about the model in the EPREL database.
No. The class alone can’t predict your household’s energy use. Compare the kWh/year of models with similar formats and capacities; ADEME points out that size and having more features than you need can affect energy use.
Que Choisir gives an average guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person. Use this as a starting point and adjust it to how often you shop. If you regularly store frozen food, check the freezer capacity separately.
In France, when you buy an equivalent new appliance, the retailer must offer a free take-back solution for the old one, according to ecosystem. Before placing your order, ask which arrangements apply to your purchase and delivery, including where and when the old appliance will be collected.