These symptoms call for a diagnosis before you buy a new appliance. ADEME lists them as situations where you should identify the fault and consider whether a repair is possible.
Usable capacity, annual energy use and the features you choose all matter. ADEME points out that a fridge or freezer runs continuously, and that choosing a larger or more feature-packed appliance could increase your bills.
In France, buying an equivalent new appliance comes with a free one-for-one take-back option, according to ecosystem, including for online sales. It’s best to confirm the take-back arrangements with the retailer before delivery.
Start by finding out whether your existing appliance can be repaired and how much capacity you actually use. Then compare models of the same type and with a similar capacity, rather than judging them on their energy rating alone.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Condition of the appliance | If it isn’t cold enough or has unusual frost build-up, get it checked. Before deciding whether to replace it, ask which parts and repairs are needed. | If my appliance has one of these symptoms, I want to find out whether a repair makes sense before buying another one. ADEME recommends identifying these possible faults. |
| Format | Decide whether you need fridge space only, a fridge and freezer in a single appliance, or a separate freezer. Take into account the space taken up by all your cooling appliances. | I mainly store fresh food, so a fridge alone may suit my needs. If I also store frozen food, I need to choose between a fridge-freezer and a separate freezer, depending on how much capacity I need. |
| Energy use | For appliances of the same type and similar capacity, compare the kWh/year figures on the label and the product information for the exact model. Use the A to G energy rating as an additional guide. The European Commission’s EPREL database lets you check details of models sold in the European Union. | I want to estimate running costs using my electricity price per kWh, without assuming that an energy rating or a new appliance will automatically lower my bills. |
| Usable capacity | Check the available capacity in litres for the fridge and freezer separately. Also measure the space and clearance needed for installation. | A larger capacity only matters to me if I’ll use it. ADEME says that choosing a larger or more feature-packed appliance can increase bills, as it runs continuously. |
| Ease of use | Check the noise level for the exact model. For features such as No Frost, check which compartments they apply to and always compare the kWh/year figures. | Noise matters to me in a living area. If defrosting is a concern, I want to know exactly what the feature does, without assuming how it affects energy use. |
| Second-hand or refurbished | Identify the exact model and check the appliance’s condition, especially the door seal and any unusual frost build-up. Check its energy information if available, and review the terms of sale. | If I’m considering a second-hand appliance, I want to be able to assess its condition and usable capacity. EPREL data for a model doesn’t replace checking the actual appliance being sold. |
| Take-back of your old appliance | When buying an equivalent new appliance in France, confirm with the retailer that free one-for-one take-back is available and check how it works in practice. If you’re not buying a replacement, find out about a suitable collection scheme. | I want to know when and where to hand over my old fridge or freezer, rather than arranging its disposal after delivery. ecosystem says one-for-one take-back also applies to online sales. |
The rating alone doesn’t tell you how many kWh an appliance will use in a year. Different formats or capacities won’t offer the same level of service.
Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check the litres per compartment, noise level and installation requirements. Refer to the label or product information for the exact model.
ADEME says that a larger size and extra features can increase bills, even though newer models may use less energy.
Estimate how much fridge and freezer capacity you use separately. Then check the annual energy use of a model with the features you’re actually interested in.
If it isn’t cooling properly or has unusual frost build-up, get it checked. ADEME says these symptoms may mean a repair is needed or, if necessary, the appliance should be replaced.
Ask for a diagnosis and find out whether your model can be repaired before ordering a new appliance. Don’t dismantle the refrigeration circuit yourself.
Used fridges and freezers need to be taken to a suitable disposal or recycling scheme. When buying an equivalent new appliance in France, ecosystem says retailers must offer free one-for-one take-back, including for online purchases.
When you place your order, confirm where the old appliance will be collected and how to prepare it.
These ranges highlight features worth considering. They don’t guarantee the performance of a specific model or mean it will be included in the selection below.
In its overview of fridge-freezers, Bosch highlights energy rating and capacity in litres as key factors when choosing a model.
Liebherr offers fridges with compartments kept close to 0 °C and humidity-controlled. The brand attributes food-preservation benefits to these compartments, but this doesn’t guarantee the same results across all its models or for your food.
Whirlpool offers No Frost models among its fridges and fridge-freezers.
These five models each combine a fridge and freezer in one appliance. They can help you compare fridge-freezer capacities, but they won’t tell you on their own whether to repair your current appliance or choose a fridge alone, a separate freezer or a second-hand model. Check the energy label for the model you choose before comparing its annual energy use.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 467 L fridge-freezer with four doors. The product name lists an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the kWh/year figures on the energy label for the exact model.
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This 333 L fridge-freezer can be compared with other models offering similar storage capacity. Its name lists a C energy rating. Before choosing, check the fridge and freezer capacities, installation dimensions and annual energy use for the exact model.
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The total capacity is listed as 344 L, and the product name mentions an E energy rating. If this format suits your space, compare the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year figures and the door-opening clearance before ordering.
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This 467 L model has an E energy rating and is suited to anyone who needs a large fridge-freezer and has space for it. Ask for details of the defrosting system in both compartments, as product information describes it differently. Then check the dimensions and the exact energy label.
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With a stated capacity of 282 L and a freezer at the bottom, this model may suit a household looking for this style of fridge-freezer. Its name mentions an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year figures, noise level and installation clearance for the exact model.
Ask for a diagnosis if your fridge isn’t staying cold enough or your freezer has unusual frost build-up. ADEME lists these symptoms as situations where you should identify the fault and consider a repair or, if necessary, replacement.
If they’re the same type and have similar capacities, compare their annual energy use in kWh, then multiply each figure by your electricity price per kWh to get an estimate. The energy rating offers another useful guide, but neither the label nor the averages published by ADEME can guarantee your future energy use.
No. First choose the fridge and freezer capacities that suit your household’s storage needs. ADEME says that choosing an appliance that’s too large or has too many features can increase your bills, so check usable capacity alongside the kWh/year figures.
When you buy an equivalent new appliance, the retailer must offer free one-for-one take-back, including for online sales, according to ecosystem. When placing your order, confirm where and how to hand over the old appliance.
Identify the exact model and check its condition, especially the door seal and any unusual frost build-up. Then ask for any available energy information and check the terms of sale. EPREL, the European Commission’s database, can provide information about models sold in the European Union, but not the condition of the individual appliance being offered.