If your old appliance has broken down but still meets your storage needs, consider having it repaired before replacing it. If its capacity or type no longer suits you, choose between a fridge, a fridge freezer and a separate freezer based on how much space you really need for fresh and frozen food. Then compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of the same type and with similar capacities. According to ADEME, size and buying more capacity than you need can also affect energy use.
If your appliance runs continuously and you’re concerned about how much energy it uses, compare the kWh/year figures while keeping the capacity you need in mind. ADEME reminds consumers that fridges and freezers run continuously, and warns against buying more capacity than you need.
You may now need more space for fresh or frozen food, or your old appliance may have become too large. The capacity of each compartment and the space available will help you decide which format to consider.
If the current format still works for you, a diagnosis can help you decide whether to keep the appliance. For some out-of-warranty repairs, the QualiRépar scheme run by ecosystem may apply.
If your appliance has broken down, start by finding out whether it can be repaired. If you’re replacing it, work out how much storage you need before comparing the energy label figures.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use without excess capacity | Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of the same type and with similar capacities, as well as the capacity of each compartment in litres. | When my old appliance runs continuously, I want to keep an eye on its energy use without buying capacity I won’t use. Around 36% of consumers would make this balance their priority. |
| The right capacity and format | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the dimensions and installation requirements. | If my needs for fresh and frozen food have changed, I need compartments suited to what I actually store. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Food storage and maintenance | Check for compartments suited to the food you store and see whether the appliance has NoFrost. | I regularly store fresh food and want to know whether the compartments on offer will be useful to me; defrosting also affects my choice. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise these features. |
| Repair and useful life | Ask for a diagnosis and check the QualiRépar terms. If you’re replacing the appliance, look at any durability information available. | If my appliance has broken down but still suits my household, I want to know whether I can keep it rather than replace it straight away. This would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The rating alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy use or whether the capacity is right for you. The energy label also shows the kWh/year figure and the capacity of each compartment.
Compare appliances designed for the same purpose and with similar capacities, then check that the litres available suit your storage habits.
A total capacity that seems large enough may not be divided between fresh and frozen food in a way that suits your household.
Check the capacity of each compartment in litres before choosing between a fridge, a fridge freezer and a separate freezer.
According to ecosystem, the QualiRépar scheme covers eligible out-of-warranty repairs that meet its terms; some repairs and types of damage are excluded.
Before any work begins, ask a QualiRépar repairer to confirm that your appliance and its fault are eligible.
An old cooling appliance needs to be collected in a way that takes its size into account. In France, Service Public states that when you buy an appliance to replace an old one, the retailer must take the old appliance away free of charge, including for online purchases.
Before placing your order, check how to let the retailer know that your old appliance needs collecting and how the collection will be arranged.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a fridge freezer and want to compare the capacity of its two compartments in detail.
A brand to consider if dedicated compartments for fresh food are among your priorities.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing fridge freezers with different cooling systems for each compartment.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing NoFrost fridge freezers, particularly for built-in installation.
These appliances suit two different needs: storing fresh and frozen food in a fridge freezer, or adding a separate freezer for extra frozen storage. Start by choosing the format that suits your needs, then check the space available and the model’s energy label.
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Worth considering if you need a large-capacity fridge freezer for fresh and frozen food. The model is listed with Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check that its four-door format suits the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to combine fridge and freezer storage in a three-door model. The listing mentions Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the available space and how the capacity is divided before choosing.
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Its listed width of 54 cm may be worth considering if space is limited, but be sure to check all the dimensions needed for installation. The stated capacity is split between 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer. This model is listed with Low Frost and an E energy rating: check its kWh/year figure on the energy label.
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Worth considering if you need a large storage capacity. First check how much space is available for fresh and frozen food. The listing states 444 L, a frost-free design, an E energy rating and 40 dB. Check the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions before choosing this model.
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This separate freezer is for storing frozen food; it won’t keep fresh food in place of a fridge. The listing states an E energy rating?
Look at the kWh/year figure, the capacity of each compartment and the noise level, as well as the energy rating. The European Commission states that the energy label for domestic fridges and freezers uses an A to G scale. To choose the right appliance, compare models of the same type and with similar capacities.
Yes. In France, Service Public states that the retailer must take your old appliance away free of charge when you buy a replacement, whether you shop in store or online. Check the collection arrangements before placing your order.
Not automatically. According to ecosystem, the scheme covers eligible faults in out-of-warranty fridges and freezers, among other appliances, when repairs are carried out by a QualiRépar professional. Ask them to confirm the terms that apply to your appliance and repair.
No. NoFrost manages frost build-up on models that have the feature. To compare energy use, look at the kWh/year figures for appliances of the same type and with similar capacities. Also consider how many litres you actually need.