Don’t replace an appliance that’s still working just because of its energy rating. Compare its annual energy use with that of models suited to your storage needs. If it no longer offers the right amount of space, a different format could solve the problem; if it still meets your needs, checking how you use and maintain it is a useful step before buying. The labels on the models you’re considering let you compare kWh/year, usable capacity and noise levels, but they can’t guarantee a lower bill on their own.
If you’re thinking about replacing an older appliance, compare its energy use with that of a model with a suitable capacity, rather than relying on the rating letter alone. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
If you’re short of space for frozen food, or your appliance is often largely unused, this may influence which format you choose. Compare how much space you need for fresh and frozen food separately before adding another appliance.
If defrosting or noise matters in your day-to-day life, check these features for the specific model. A convenience feature alone doesn’t prove that an appliance uses less electricity.
First, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. The European Commission says that the energy label for refrigeration appliances includes information such as annual energy consumption, storage volumes and noise levels. Consider all these details together for each model you’re looking at.
Consider one if: you mainly need space for fresh food and the capacity suits your shopping habits.
Bear in mind: a model without a freezer compartment won’t meet your freezing needs. Factor in any separate appliance you plan to keep.
Consider one if: you regularly use both the fridge and freezer compartments in a single appliance.
Bear in mind: the split between fridge and freezer space varies by model and needs to suit your habits.
Consider one if: you need more frozen storage than a fridge freezer suited to your other needs can provide.
Bear in mind: if it’s an addition to your fridge, this appliance will also run continuously. Check the energy use of both appliances.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use | The kWh/year on the label and the usable capacity of appliances that meet the same storage needs. | If my energy bill is the reason for replacing an appliance, I want to compare it with a solution that genuinely suits me. Around 36% of consumers put this energy-use comparison at the heart of their decision. |
| Suitable capacity | The usable litres for fresh and frozen food, as well as the number of appliances already in use. | If my shopping rarely fills the available space, or regularly overflows, capacity matters more than extra features. Around 29% of consumers prioritise getting the right capacity. |
| Space for frozen food | The capacity of the freezer compartment and, if you’re adding an appliance, its annual energy use. | I regularly freeze food and need to choose between the space offered by a fridge freezer and that of a separate appliance. For around 21% of consumers, how space is divided between fresh and frozen food is the main concern. |
| Maintenance and ease of use | Whether the relevant compartment has No Frost and the noise level of the model. | If defrosting is a hassle or the appliance is near a living area, I want to consider how it will work day to day. Around 14% of consumers prioritise maintenance and convenience above all. |
Two appliances with different formats or capacities may not meet the same needs. The European Commission says the label also shows kWh/year and compartment volumes.
Compare models with the right storage capacity for you, then check their annual energy use.
A large appliance or an extra freezer may end up largely unused. ADEME recommends avoiding unnecessary extra appliances and buying according to your actual needs.
Assess your usual needs for fresh and frozen food separately before choosing a capacity or adding another appliance.
No Frost helps with defrosting, but it doesn’t determine an appliance’s energy use on its own. The features listed by Bosch and Electrolux apply to their specific models, not every appliance with this function.
Check which compartment the feature applies to, then compare the kWh/year and usable capacity of the specific models.
In France, the government departments responsible for the ecological transition say that retailers must offer to take back your old appliance when you buy a new one, including for distance sales, under the “one-for-one” principle.
Before placing your order, confirm the take-back arrangements and check that the appliance will fit through the access route, in its space and with the door opening in the right direction.
The details below relate to the specific models mentioned, not every appliance made by each brand.
Built-in and freestanding fridge freezers to consider depending on the space available and how much freezer capacity you need.
A brand to consider if built-in installation, noise or specialist compartments are important to your choice.
Freezers to compare if frost management and built-in installation requirements are important to you.
These models illustrate three different needs: keeping fresh and frozen food together in a fridge freezer, choosing a convertible appliance for separate storage, or opting for a small fridge for fresh food. How suitable they are depends on the capacity you need and how they compare with your current appliance.
Image unavailable
An option for combining refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. The model name indicates a capacity of 333 L and class C; check the label for the capacity of each compartment and the kWh/year before comparing it with your current appliance. Its NatureFRESH, DoorCooling+ and LinearCooling features don’t, on their own, prove that it uses less energy.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you need a separate appliance that can be used as either a freezer or a fridge. This 291 L chest freezer is listed as convertible and comes with a removable basket. Check the energy use for the mode you plan to use, as well as the space needed to open and ventilate it.
Image unavailable
Another fridge freezer to consider if you regularly use both the fridge and freezer. Its listed capacity is 344 L. Check how the space is divided between compartments, the kWh/year on the label and the space available for installation before comparing it with a different format.
Image unavailable
This 467 L fridge freezer is designed for households with substantial storage needs, so make sure you need a large format before choosing it. The model name indicates Total No Frost and class E. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the kWh/year with those of appliances suited to your shopping habits. Also check its installation dimensions.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if 82 L of fresh-food storage is enough for your needs. This fridge has a single door and no freezer compartment. Check its exact dimensions against the space available and consult its label before comparing energy use.
No. The European Commission says that the label for refrigeration appliances also shows annual energy use in kWh and storage volumes. Compare these figures across models that can meet the same needs, then check them against the information available for your current appliance.
Check the energy label and its QR code to find the model’s entry in EPREL, the European register presented by the European Commission. Make sure the model number and variant match the appliance you’re considering.
If it still meets your storage needs, start by checking how you use and maintain it, then compare its energy-use details with those of a possible replacement. ADEME recommends buying according to your actual needs and keeping appliances for as long as possible. Age alone isn’t enough to show whether buying a new one is worthwhile.
In its manufacturer guidance, Electrolux recommends 4 °C or below for the fridge and −18 °C for the freezer. Check your model’s manual; changing the setting won’t resolve an operating fault.
When you buy a new appliance, including through distance selling, the retailer must offer to take back your old one under the “one-for-one” principle, according to the government departments responsible for the ecological transition. Confirm the practical arrangements for collection and delivery before placing your order.