Before choosing a fridge for your new home, check the space available, the route through to the kitchen and the installation requirements for the model. If you want to keep frozen food in the same appliance, check the freezer compartment capacity. If you already have a separate freezer, a fridge-only model could also be suitable. Then compare usable capacities and kWh/year, and follow the model’s instructions when setting it up after delivery.
If the appliance needs to fit into an alcove, pass through a narrow doorway or be carried up a difficult route, measure the route and the space before choosing a size. Electrolux France recommends checking the dimensions before delivery; the clearance needed for installation depends on the model.
Your choice depends on how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Check the capacity of each compartment in a fridge-freezer, or consider a fridge-only model if you already have a separate freezer.
As ADEME points out, a fridge runs continuously. When comparing appliances that meet the same storage needs, look at their annual energy consumption in kWh and usable capacity, rather than relying on the energy rating letter alone.
First, work out where the appliance can go, then decide how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. The energy label can then help you compare models with similar capacities and functions.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and delivery | Measure the space and the route through to the kitchen. Check the manual for ventilation clearances and, for a built-in model, the dimensions of the housing unit. | My kitchen is narrow or has a housing unit, so I want to be sure I can get the appliance in and install it. Around 36% of consumers would rank this compatibility as their top priority. |
| Fresh and frozen food capacity | Compare the usable litres in each compartment and the internal layout; decide whether you need an integrated freezer. | I regularly store fresh and frozen food, so the space allocated to each needs to suit my habits. This split would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Annual energy consumption | Compare kWh/year between appliances of a similar type and capacity. Also check the capacity and noise emissions shown on the energy label. | As an appliance that runs all the time, I want to keep its energy use under control without choosing a capacity that does not suit my needs. Around 21% of consumers would make this their main concern. |
| Getting the appliance running again | Check the manufacturer’s instructions before plugging it in and, if necessary, plan another way to keep food chilled while you wait. | After delivery, I need to know when I can put my food back in the fridge. Around 14% of consumers would put planning this transition ahead of other criteria. |
A built-in fridge also needs to be compatible with the housing unit’s depth, ventilation and door system. Its external dimensions alone are not enough to confirm that it will fit.
Measure every part of the housing unit and check the installation diagram for the exact model. If it is not suitable, consider the installation requirements for a freestanding model instead.
Instructions vary by manufacturer: Electrolux France recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging in the appliances concerned, while Whirlpool France advises waiting 24 hours after delivery.
Follow the instructions for the model you have bought, and make temporary arrangements for any food that needs to stay chilled.
The energy rating letter does not replace the annual consumption figure or a check of the appliance’s capacity. Comparing two appliances that do not meet the same storage needs will not help you choose the right one for your kitchen.
Compare kWh/year between models with similar capacities and functions, then check separately how much space is available for fresh and frozen food.
A difficult route or an old appliance that has not been prepared can make delivery and the retailer’s collection service more complicated.
Before placing your order, mention any stairs, lifts or narrow access points. If collection has been arranged, ask how to prepare your old fridge.
These models include freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers, as well as a built-in fridge with a small freezer compartment. Start by choosing according to the space available and how much room you need for fresh and frozen food.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one freestanding appliance.
The model name indicates four doors, a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating.
Before choosing it, check the access route dimensions and the ventilation clearances required in the manual.
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Consider this for a fitted kitchen if the housing unit and door system are compatible, and an integrated freezer compartment meets your needs.
The model name indicates a capacity of 188 L, a top-mounted freezer and an E energy rating.
Check the freezer compartment capacity and maintenance requirements, as well as the compatibility of the housing unit and its door panel, before ordering.
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Worth considering if space is limited and you want separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
The model name indicates a width of 54 cm, 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer, a reversible door, Low Frost technology and an E rating.
Check which way the door can open in your kitchen, the required clearances and the model’s kWh/year figure on the label.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit and you want a freezer in the same appliance.
The model name indicates a capacity of 249 L, TwinTech No Frost technology and an E energy rating.
Check the installation diagram to confirm the housing unit dimensions and ventilation requirements, then consult the energy label to compare kWh/year.
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Consider this if you are looking for a freestanding appliance with separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
The model name indicates a capacity of 174 L, a reversible door and Low Frost technology.
Low Frost does not necessarily mean you will never need to defrost the freezer. Check the kWh/year figure, ventilation clearances and the model’s set-up instructions.
No. The wait depends on the instructions for your model and the conditions in which it was transported. Electrolux France recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging in the appliances concerned, while Whirlpool France advises waiting 24 hours after delivery. Check the instructions for the fridge you are installing.
As well as the energy rating, check the annual consumption in kWh, the compartment capacities and the noise emissions. The European Commission lists this information on the energy label for domestic fridges and freezers. Compare kWh/year between appliances that meet similar storage needs.
No. You also need to confirm the dimensions of the housing unit, the ventilation requirements in the manual and whether the door system is compatible with the kitchen unit. Check these details in your new kitchen before choosing a built-in model.