If your fridge or freezer is working properly, check its settings, frost build-up, seals and ventilation before deciding to replace it: UFC-Que Choisir advises against basing the decision on age alone. If you’re considering a new appliance, compare the annual energy consumption shown on the label for models with the same function and suitable capacities. The energy rating alone isn’t enough to compare appliances with different capacities.
Your appliance runs day and night, and you want to know whether maintaining or replacing it could affect its energy use, without assuming what the result will be for your household. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously; UFC-Que Choisir also recommends checking their condition and settings.
You’re choosing between a fridge, a fridge-freezer and a separate freezer. The capacity of each compartment matters more than the total capacity if your storage needs differ.
You want to check the seals, defrosting or access to a spare part before replacing the appliance. Whirlpool’s part search by model reference is one useful option, although it doesn’t guarantee that a specific part will be available.
Start by checking the condition of your current appliance. If replacing it still makes sense, decide which function and capacity you need before comparing annual energy consumption.
Consider this: if the appliance is keeping food at the right temperature and there’s no fault that calls for immediate replacement, after checking its settings and maintenance.
Limitation: maintenance won’t necessarily reduce high energy consumption; an appliance without fan cooling also needs to be defrosted regularly.
Consider this: if you mainly store fresh food and don’t need a large freezer compartment in the appliance.
Limitation: check whether it has a freezer compartment and how much it holds if you want to store frozen food.
Consider this: if you need separate areas for fresh and frozen food in a single appliance.
Limitation: the split between compartments needs to suit your habits; compare its energy consumption with that of fridge-freezers of similar capacity and with similar features.
Consider this: if you need a separate appliance for your frozen food.
Limitation: a chest freezer needs floor space; if you’re putting it in a cellar or pantry, check the model’s climate class too.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing energy use | Compare kWh/year for appliances with the same function and similar capacities. Also check the settings and maintenance of your current appliance. | I want to limit the electricity used day after day, without choosing features or capacity I don’t need. Around 42% of consumers put energy use first. |
| Capacity and type | Compare the litres available for fresh and frozen food separately, then measure the space you have available. | My shopping needs enough room for each type of food, but I don’t want compartments that go largely unused. The right capacity is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Maintenance or replacement | Check for frost, inspect the seals and ventilation; if you’re arranging a repair, identify the exact model reference and compatible part. | Before replacing an appliance that still keeps food at the right temperature, I want to know whether maintenance or a repair will meet my needs. This comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
The European Commission says the label also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise levels. The same rating doesn’t tell you whether two appliances offer comparable capacity.
Compare kWh/year for models with the same function, and check fresh and frozen capacities separately.
UFC-Que Choisir stresses that an appliance that’s still working doesn’t always need replacing. Incorrect settings, frost build-up or poor ventilation could all be relevant to your decision.
Check the temperatures, seals, frost and rear grille. If you suspect a fault, ask for an appropriate diagnosis.
Total capacity doesn’t show how the space is divided between fresh and frozen food. A chest freezer also needs a suitable amount of floor space.
Work out the useful capacity for your needs, measure the space and check the installation requirements for the model you’re considering.
According to ADEME, the size of an appliance and certain features, including ice-making, can increase energy consumption. A feature that makes defrosting easier doesn’t mean you can ignore the kWh/year figure.
Choose features that suit the way you use the appliance, then compare the energy consumption shown for each model reference.
Bosch offers fridges and fridge-freezers, and explains how to read their energy labels.
Liebherr offers fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers, with features that vary between models.
Whirlpool offers refrigeration appliances and a spare-parts search service that uses the appliance reference.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer compartments. If you’re considering a fridge-freezer, start with the capacity given for each model, then check the annual energy consumption on the label for the exact model reference.
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Worth considering if you want a single appliance for fresh and frozen food. The product name lists a capacity of 333 L, an A rating and No Frost. Check the capacity of each compartment and the annual energy consumption on the label for this model.
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Worth considering if a total capacity of 333 L suits your needs. The product name lists a C rating and NatureFRESH™, DoorCooling+™ and LinearCooling+™ features. Check the capacity of each compartment and the energy details for the exact model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 344 L fridge-freezer. The product name lists an E rating; check the annual energy consumption and compartment capacities on the label. If defrosting is important to you, confirm the exact feature in the model documentation.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer. The product name lists a capacity of 282 L and an E rating; check the capacity of each compartment, annual energy consumption and the clearance needed for installation.
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Worth considering if you need a large-capacity fridge-freezer and have room to install it. The product name lists a capacity of 467 L, an E rating, Total No Frost and Smart Inverter. Check that the compartment capacities are genuinely useful for you, then compare the annual energy consumption for the exact model.
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh, fresh and frozen capacities, function and features. According to the European Commission, the label also shows the energy rating and noise level; its QR code links to the model information in EPREL. Comparing kWh/year is more useful for appliances with similar capacities.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, it isn’t always advisable to replace an appliance that’s still working. Check its condition and settings, and look at the energy consumption information you have. Then compare it with that of a suitably sized appliance before deciding.
First check the temperatures, seals, any frost build-up and the ventilation space. UFC-Que Choisir recommends setting your fridge to 4 to 5 °C and your freezer to −18 °C, and regularly defrosting appliances without fan cooling.
Note down the appliance’s full model reference, and ask a professional to confirm which part you need if the fault isn’t obvious. Whirlpool offers a part search by model reference, but whether a repair is possible depends on the part and the specific model.