If your fridge or freezer isn’t cooling properly or is icing up unusually, first ask a repair professional whether it can be fixed and whether the Repair Bonus applies. Don’t decide to replace it based on the symptoms alone. If you do need a new appliance, choose a fridge freezer to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance, or a dedicated freezer if frozen storage is your main priority and you already have somewhere to keep fresh food. Then check the installation requirements, capacities and energy label for the specific model, and arrange for your old appliance to be disposed of appropriately.
If you’re still happy with your appliance’s capacity and location, getting it assessed can help you decide whether a repair is the right option. ecosystem offers a Repair Bonus for eligible refrigeration appliances. Ask a QualiRépar repairer to confirm the conditions that apply to your appliance and its fault.
If you’re replacing an appliance that does both, compare the fridge and freezer capacities of each fridge freezer separately. Also check the space available, the delivery route and how the doors open. According to the European Commission, the energy label shows information including capacity, annual energy consumption and noise levels.
A dedicated freezer is worth considering if frozen storage is your priority and you already have another appliance for fresh food. If you’re considering No Frost, check which compartments it covers. Beko France notes that fan-assisted cooling limits frost, but its drier air means you’ll need to protect fresh foods that are prone to drying out.
Start by finding out whether your current appliance can be repaired. If you need to replace it, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food before comparing the features of models that will fit your space.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Whether it can be repaired | Give a QualiRépar repairer the model, symptoms and warranty details. Ask for a diagnosis and check whether the appliance may be eligible for the Repair Bonus. | If my appliance still meets my needs, I want to know whether the fault can be repaired before replacing it. Around 29% of consumers put this first. |
| Capacity and installation | Compare fridge and freezer capacities separately. Measure the space and access route, and, for a built-in model, check the housing and door clearance. | I need enough room for my food, but don’t want to choose an appliance that won’t fit in my kitchen. Around 29% of consumers put this fit first. |
| Frost and food storage | Check the cooling system and which compartments have No Frost. Consider how you’ll protect fresh foods that are prone to drying out. | Frost makes it harder to maintain my appliance or get to my frozen food, so I’m looking for a layout that avoids this problem. Around 24% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the kWh/year and noise emissions on the exact model’s energy label, comparing appliances of a similar type and capacity. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to consider everyday noise while keeping an eye on the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. Around 18% of consumers say this is their main consideration. |
Poor cooling or unusual frost doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance needs replacing. Its condition, the fault and the proposed repair all matter when making this decision.
Give a QualiRépar repairer the model and symptoms, then ask for a diagnosis before deciding whether a repair would still meet your needs.
Two fridge freezers with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. The appliance dimensions alone also won’t tell you whether it will fit in a housing or be easy to get into your home.
Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment, and measure the space and delivery route. For a built-in model, check the housing and door requirements in the product details.
The technology’s name alone doesn’t tell you whether it applies to the freezer, the fridge or both. Beko France also notes that fan-assisted cooling can dry out fresh food if it isn’t properly protected.
Check which compartments the feature covers in the model details, and use suitable packaging for fresh foods that are prone to drying out.
Unusable refrigeration appliances need to be disposed of through an appropriate route because of their components and refrigerants. ADEME says you can hand one over to the retailer or delivery team when replacing it, or take it to a suitable collection point.
Confirm the collection arrangements before ordering, or find a collection point that accepts refrigeration appliances. Don’t leave it in a public place.
Bosch offers fridges, fridge freezers and freezers in a range of sizes, including wider models.
The Beko range includes fridge freezers and upright freezers, with different cooling systems depending on the model.
Whirlpool offers freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, including some Total No Frost models.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer functions for households looking to replace a fridge freezer. Before choosing one, check whether a repair would meet your needs and whether the new model will fit your space. If you’re only replacing a freezer, compare dedicated freezers instead.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a built-in fridge freezer rather than a freestanding appliance. The model name specifies a capacity of 252 L, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check the housing dimensions, fixing requirements and door opening before ordering.
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This four-door design is worth considering if you need plenty of combined fridge and freezer space, provided you have room for it. The product name specifies a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Measure the delivery route, installation space and clearance for the doors.
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Consider this model if you want a three-door fridge freezer for keeping fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Its name specifies a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an energy rating of E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check that you have enough room for installation and to open the doors.
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This multi-door fridge freezer could suit you if you need plenty of fridge and freezer space and your kitchen can accommodate its size. Its name specifies a capacity of 495 L and an energy rating of E. Check the dimensions and doorways, and, if you plan to use the dispenser, find out whether it needs to be connected.
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Worth considering if you want to know how much space is set aside for fresh and frozen food: the product name specifies 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer. It also lists No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the model’s width, depth and annual energy consumption before comparing its installation requirements and use with other appliances.
Yes, if the appliance and fault meet the scheme’s conditions and the work is carried out by a QualiRépar repairer. ecosystem notes, among other things, that the appliance must no longer be covered by a warranty or insurance. Check whether your situation qualifies before deciding whether to repair or replace it.
It depends on the freezer capacity, not just the fridge freezer’s total capacity. Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres with what you need. If frozen food is your priority and you already have somewhere to store fresh food, consider a dedicated freezer too.
Check the energy rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, capacities and noise emissions for the exact model. The European Commission says this information appears on fridge and freezer energy labels. To compare energy use, look at appliances of a similar type and capacity.
No Frost is worth considering if your priority is to limit frost build-up, but check which compartments it applies to. Beko France notes that fan-assisted cooling is drier, so protect fresh foods that are prone to drying out in the fridge compartment of a fridge freezer.
Arrange for it to be collected by the retailer or delivery team, or take it to a collection point that accepts refrigeration appliances. ADEME outlines these disposal options. Confirm the collection arrangements before delivery and don’t leave the appliance in a public place.