Before replacing a fridge that uses a lot of energy, check whether frost, dust or poor ventilation mean it needs routine maintenance first, then have any potential fault assessed. If you do need a replacement, choose a size that suits your cooling needs and compare the kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities and configurations. According to ADEME, excess capacity or features you don’t need can increase energy use.
Your old appliance runs day and night, and you want to compare the annual energy consumption shown on the label. Compare the kWh/year figures for models with similar capacities and features, but don’t assume the difference shown will be exactly the same in your home.
Your needs for fresh and frozen food have changed. Compare the capacity of both compartments with the space available in your kitchen, rather than automatically choosing a larger appliance.
You want to tell the difference between routine maintenance and a fault before ordering a new appliance. Maintenance advice from ecosystem and the option of getting a diagnosis can help you decide whether a repair is worth considering.
Start by checking the condition of your current appliance, then work out your refrigeration and freezing needs separately. A fridge with one door is mainly suited to fresh food; a small freezer compartment is only enough if you store few frozen items, while a fridge freezer combines both functions and a compact model is designed for limited space.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use shown on the label | Compare the kWh/year figures and energy classes of models with similar formats and capacities. | If your priority is managing the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously, you need to compare more than just the energy class letter. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Capacity and format | Measure the space available and check the capacity in litres for fresh and frozen food separately. | If you’re running out of room for your shopping, you need more storage without choosing an appliance that takes over your kitchen. For around 27% of consumers, striking this balance is the priority. |
| Maintenance or repair | Check for frost and make sure the vents are clear; if there’s a fault, ask for a diagnosis before deciding. | If your fridge is still cooling but isn’t working as well as it should, you want to know whether maintenance or a repair could keep it going. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Everyday comfort | Check the stated noise level, storage options and whether frost-free technology would be useful for you. | If your kitchen is close to your living area, noise or storage constraints may have a bigger influence on your choice of new appliance. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of use. |
The European Commission uses an A to G scale for domestic fridges. The letter alone isn’t enough to compare two appliances with different capacities or compartment layouts.
Check the kWh/year figures and the fridge and freezer capacities too, then compare models that meet similar needs.
Frost, a dusty rear grille or blocked vents can affect how well an appliance works. According to ecosystem, defrosting and dusting are part of fridge maintenance when the design requires it.
Check the manual before carrying out these tasks, and get a persistent fault assessed rather than immediately deciding to replace the appliance.
You may not use all that extra capacity, while a freezer section that’s too small may not suit your household’s habits. ADEME notes that a larger size and unnecessary features can increase energy use.
Work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food separately, then check the appliance’s overall dimensions and the clearance needed for installation.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. A commercial extended warranty is separate from this protection.
Before taking out an extended warranty, check its exclusions and what it actually adds to your legal rights.
The range includes freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, with features that vary by model.
The fridge freezer range includes models with features such as NoFrost and EasyFresh.
The range includes built-in and freestanding fridge freezers, with different frost management systems depending on the model.
These models combine a fridge compartment with a freezer compartment. Compare their capacity with your needs, then check the energy label and dimensions of your chosen model before replacing your appliance.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a four-door fridge freezer with a stated total capacity of 467 L. The model name specifies Total No Frost and an E energy class; check the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year figure and the space needed for installation.
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This three-door design could be right for you if a total capacity of 360 L meets your needs. The model name lists Total No Frost, an E energy class, Wi-Fi and My Zone; check whether these features are useful to you, as well as the kWh/year figure and dimensions.
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Worth considering if you need a multi-door appliance with a stated total capacity of 495 L. The model name specifies an E energy class; check the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year figure, dimensions and installation requirements before choosing this large format.
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Compare its stated total capacity of 444 L with your storage needs. The model name specifies an E energy class, frost-free operation and 40 dB; check the separate compartment capacities, the kWh/year figure, dimensions and required clearance.
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The stated capacities of 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer let you assess each use separately. The model name lists No Frost and 39 dB; check the kWh/year figure, width, depth and installation clearance before comparing energy use or placing an order.
The European Commission states that an A to G scale has applied to domestic fridges and freezers since 1 March 2021. Also check annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise levels, so you can compare models suited to the same needs.
No. The energy class alone can’t predict how much energy an appliance will use in your home. Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities and features; ADEME notes that a larger size and unnecessary features can increase energy use.
If the appliance is still cooling, start with the maintenance checks recommended in its manual, particularly for frost and vents. If there’s a fault, ask for a diagnosis. In France, ecosystem offers a Repair Bonus for certain out-of-warranty fridges or freezers repaired by a QualiRépar professional, subject to eligibility conditions.
No. The Ministry of the Economy states that, in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. Before taking out an extended warranty, check what it actually adds to this protection.