Start by looking at your fridge and freezer: ADEME points out that they run continuously. That alone isn’t a reason to replace them; compare their condition, capacity and energy consumption with those of an appliance suited to your needs. For a dishwasher or cooking appliance, how often you use it matters more. If it still meets your needs or can be repaired, you may be better off keeping it.
A fridge or freezer runs continuously, as ADEME points out. If you’re thinking of replacing yours, start by working out how much storage space you really need. Then compare the energy consumption of appliances of the same type and similar capacity.
If your appliance still suits your kitchen, check its condition and whether it can be repaired before choosing a new model. The French National Consumer Institute, together with the DGCCRF, recommends checking whether spare parts are available.
For these appliances, how often and how you use them can affect whether replacing them is worthwhile. Count your wash cycles or review your cooking habits before comparing the features of a new appliance.
Start by considering how you use each appliance and what condition it’s in. Then compare appliances that meet the same need, rather than looking only at their energy labels.
| Priority | What to check | What matters to me |
|---|---|---|
| Fridges and freezers | ADEME says that fridges and freezers run continuously. Compare the kWh/year of appliances of the same type, then look at their usable capacity and features. | My appliance is on all year round: does its capacity still match what I need to store? |
| Capacity and space | Measure the available space and check the format, door opening and installation requirements. Don’t choose a larger capacity than you need based on the energy rating alone. | I need enough space to store my food, without installing an appliance that’s bigger than necessary. |
| Running costs | Use the kWh figures shown for comparable appliances, together with the VAT-inclusive price per kWh that applies to your tariff. The French Energy Regulatory Commission distinguishes this price from the standing charge; also take any time-of-use rates into account. | I want to estimate what using each appliance could add to my bill, without treating an estimate as guaranteed savings. |
| Repairs | Check the appliance’s condition and whether spare parts are available. In France, ecosystem says that the Repair Bonus applies to certain out-of-warranty appliances if the fault is eligible. | If my appliance still meets my needs, it’s worth looking into a repair before replacing it. |
| Dishwashers | Estimate how many cycles you run each year. Compare dishwashers on the same label basis, including kWh/100 cycles and water per cycle. If your kitchen is open-plan, check the noise level too. | I use my dishwasher often, so the energy used per cycle and the programme I choose matter to how I use it. |
| Cooking appliances | Before considering a different technology, think about how often you cook, your existing installation and whether your cookware is compatible. These checks don’t replace looking at fridges and freezers that run continuously. | I cook regularly and want to know whether changing appliances would suit my habits, rather than automatically replacing the one I have. |
A different energy rating doesn’t, on its own, show that replacing your appliance is worthwhile, especially if the new one is larger. UFC-Que Choisir points out that replacing an appliance that’s still working well isn’t always advisable.
Compare the capacity, the kWh figures shown and the condition of your current appliance. If it can be repaired, check whether parts are available and ask for a quote.
Before deciding, also check any delivery, installation or kitchen adaptation requirements.
Capacity and features affect the comparison: an energy rating alone won’t tell you whether a large model is right for your storage needs.
Work out the usable capacity you need, how much room you need for frozen food and what space is available. Then compare the kWh/year of appliances with similar formats and capacities.
An estimate of running costs can be misleading if it’s based on a different price per kWh. The French Energy Regulatory Commission distinguishes the cost of energy from the standing charge, with rates that may vary by time of use depending on your tariff.
Use the VAT-inclusive price per kWh and tariff shown on your contract or bill, then apply them to the consumption figures you’re comparing.
The kWh/100 cycles shown on the label doesn’t directly translate to a year’s use: the result depends on how many washes you run and which programme you choose.
Estimate how many cycles you usually run, then check energy use, water per cycle and, if the appliance is near a living area, its noise level.
These ranges offer some formats to consider. Choose based on the specifications of the exact model, not the brand name alone.
Bosch offers fridge-freezers, single-door fridges and freezers, among other appliances.
Beko’s French catalogue includes fridges, freezers and dishwashers, among other appliances.
Miele offers fridge-freezers, including built-in models.
These models relate to two of the decisions covered here: comparing a fridge-freezer that runs continuously, or assessing a dishwasher in light of how often you use it. Their inclusion doesn’t mean you need to replace your appliance.
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Worth considering if a 262 L fridge-freezer suits your storage needs. The product title gives a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the installation space and the kWh/year on the exact model’s energy label before comparing it with your current appliance.
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Compare its 360 L capacity with the amount of storage space you need. The product title mentions Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the dimensions and kWh/year on the exact model’s energy label before estimating its running costs.
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Consider this 467 L model if its capacity genuinely matches your needs. The product title mentions Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions, installation clearances and kWh/year for the exact model before comparing it with other appliances.
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First check that its 444 L capacity suits your storage needs. The product title gives an E energy rating and a noise level of 40 dB. Check the dimensions and required clearances, then consult the exact model’s energy label to compare its consumption.
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To assess whether it’s right for you, relate the energy label figures to how many cycles you usually run. The model is listed as having a C energy rating. Its title gives a width of 60 cm, but one description says 68 cm. Confirm the width, niche dimensions and door-panel compatibility before ordering.
Start with your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer, as ADEME says these appliances run continuously. Check their condition and capacity, then compare them with models of the same type and a similar size. This first check doesn’t mean you have to replace yours.
Multiply the kWh/year figure shown by the VAT-inclusive price per kWh that applies to your tariff. For a dishwasher, use the kWh/100 cycles figure and your annual number of cycles. Keep this calculation separate from the standing charge and account for any time-of-use rates, as set out in the tariff structure described by the French Energy Regulatory Commission.
No. Also compare the capacity, dimensions, features and energy consumption on a like-for-like basis for the type of appliance. ADEME points out that size and extra features can affect energy use: a rating alone won’t tell you whether a model suits your needs.
Yes, if it still meets your needs. Check the fault, its overall condition and whether spare parts are available. In France, ecosystem says the Repair Bonus may apply to certain appliances that are out of warranty, provided the fault is eligible under the scheme.
No. Check the appliance niche dimensions, ventilation, door opening and furniture door fixing for the model you’re considering. Miele notes that certain built-in or integrated products require a furniture door panel, which isn’t supplied.