If your fridge or freezer still suits your needs, get a diagnosis and a quote before replacing it. In France, some out-of-warranty repairs may qualify for the Repair Bonus when carried out by a QualiRépar professional. If you decide to buy a new appliance, start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Then compare the annual energy consumption of appliances of the same type and a similar capacity, as well as their installation requirements.
Your fridge or freezer runs continuously, and you’re thinking about replacing it. ADEME recommends choosing a capacity that suits your needs. Check the usable capacity and annual energy consumption of the specific model, rather than assuming that a new appliance will necessarily use less energy.
Your appliance’s capacity and position still work for you. A quote can help you decide whether a repair is possible. According to ecosystem, eligibility for the Repair Bonus depends in part on the fault and whether you use a QualiRépar repairer.
You now store more frozen food, or you have less space in your kitchen. Compare compartment capacities and overall dimensions. If freezing is particularly important to you, check the model’s stated power-cut storage time too.
First, decide whether your current appliance still meets your needs and can be repaired. If you’re replacing it, choose the balance of fridge and freezer space you need before comparing models with similar capacities.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous energy use | Compare kWh/year and energy ratings for appliances of the same type and a similar capacity. | When an appliance runs day and night, I want to assess its energy use rather than rely on the letter rating alone. Around 29% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Capacity and layout | Check the usable capacity in litres for each compartment, then check the dimensions and installation requirements. | If my shopping habits or available space have changed, I need enough room in the right places without choosing an appliance that’s too large. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this balance of capacity. |
| Repair or replace | Ask for a diagnosis and a quote; check the Repair Bonus conditions separately. | My appliance still suits me despite a fault, so I want to know whether I can keep it before buying another one. Around 21% of consumers put this decision first. |
| Freezing and everyday use | Check the freezer’s power-cut storage time, defrosting type and noise level. | When I regularly store frozen food, the freezer’s layout and maintenance requirements factor into my decision. For around 21% of consumers, this need comes first. |
The letter rating isn’t enough to compare appliances with different sizes or layouts. Check the energy label and the European Commission’s EPREL database for the exact model number.
First compare appliances of the same type and a similar capacity, then look at kWh/year, usable capacity and noise levels.
The French scheme doesn’t cover every repair. According to ecosystem, exclusions include removable accessories and consumables, as well as damage caused by misuse.
Before arranging a repair, check with a QualiRépar professional that your out-of-warranty appliance and the fault meet the relevant conditions.
A large total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there’ll be for fresh and frozen food. An appliance that’s too bulky may also not fit in its intended space.
Work out how much room you need in each compartment, then check the dimensions, door clearance and, for a built-in model, the installation requirements in the manual against your kitchen.
Fridges and freezers contain components that need to be handled through the appropriate recycling route.
ADEME says that when you replace an appliance, you can hand the old one to the retailer or delivery driver, or take it to a suitable collection point.
These brands offer a range of formats to compare. The features that matter are those of each individual model.
Bosch’s range includes various types of fridge, fridge-freezer and freezer, including built-in appliances.
The brand offers ranges such as BluPerformance and BioFresh compartments, which are worth exploring based on your preferred capacity and layout.
Electrolux built-in fridge-freezers are worth considering if the space available and the balance of fridge and freezer capacity are key to your decision.
These models combine a fridge and freezer in one appliance. To compare them, start with their stated capacities and the space you have available, then check the energy label for the exact model. Repairing your current appliance, choosing a fridge on its own or buying a separate freezer are other ways to meet your needs.
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Worth considering as a replacement for a built-in fridge-freezer, if the housing, hinges and ventilation suit this model.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of space for both fresh and frozen food, and have room for a four-door appliance.
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Worth considering if you want a three-door appliance that combines fridge and freezer space, with a capacity to suit your shopping habits.
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Worth considering if your needs justify a large appliance and you have enough room for it.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity fridge-freezer, after checking that the balance of fridge and freezer space suits you.
In France, the scheme may apply to some out-of-warranty repairs carried out by a QualiRépar repairer. The ministry responsible for ecology describes a deduction from the bill; ecosystem explains that eligibility depends on the repair and excludes certain removable accessories, among other things, as well as damage caused by misuse. Check whether your fault qualifies before the repair is carried out.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and the energy rating of appliances of the same type and a similar capacity, then check their usable capacities and noise levels. ADEME describes the label as a tool to help you choose. The European Commission’s EPREL database lets you look up the declared data for a registered model.
A fridge on its own suits needs focused mainly on fresh food; a fridge-freezer combines two zones in one space; a separate freezer is worth considering if you need more room for frozen food. In every case, check the usable capacity in litres and the dimensions rather than choosing based on total capacity alone.
Use an appropriate recycling route for fridges and freezers. ADEME says you can hand your old appliance to the retailer or delivery driver when it’s replaced, or take it to a suitable collection point.
No. Its age or apparent condition alone won’t tell you how much energy it uses. Ask for the exact model number and its energy data, then compare these with appliances of the same type and a similar capacity. Also check the appliance’s condition and the terms offered with it.