Don’t automatically replace an appliance simply because it runs continuously: if a fault can be repaired, ask for a diagnosis or quote first. If you buy a new appliance, compare models of the same size by their annual consumption in kWh, separate fridge and freezer capacities, and noise level; the energy rating alone is not enough to compare appliances with different capacities.
You want to know whether a fault or apparently high consumption justifies buying a new appliance, without turning national benchmarks into promised savings for your household. ADEME reminds us that cooling appliances run continuously, while ecosystem oversees the Bonus Réparation scheme for certain appliances outside their warranty period.
The right format depends on the actual proportion of fresh and frozen food you buy, the space available and the usable capacity. The Que Choisir Ensemble guide recommends considering these needs before focusing solely on the energy rating.
The appliance’s footprint, capacity and noise level can affect your choice. The European Commission states that the energy label for cooling appliances displays storage capacities and airborne acoustical noise emissions.
Start by considering a repair when there is a fault, then compare new appliances with the same format and a similar capacity. The information on the energy label helps you weigh consumption, storage and installation requirements.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual consumption | Compare kWh/year between appliances of the same type and with similar capacities. Read the A to G rating alongside this figure rather than in isolation. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. | I want to reduce ongoing consumption without inferring personal savings from a national average. |
| Capacity and dimensions | Check the litres in the fridge and freezer compartments. Confirm the height, width and depth on the product page and in your kitchen. | My shopping focuses on fresh food, frozen food or both in specific proportions, so total capacity alone is not enough. |
| Features and noise | Choose No Frost or fan-assisted cooling if defrosting is a concern. Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) and its class, especially in an open-plan kitchen. Only consider dedicated compartments if they match your habits. | I prefer features that address a specific need, such as avoiding defrosting, without confusing them with lower energy consumption. |
| Repair before buying | Ask a repairer to assess the fault and check the availability of spare parts. Check the warranty and whether the appliance qualifies for the QualiRépar scheme. Since 1 January 2026, ecosystem has indicated a €25 Bonus Réparation for a fridge, freezer or fridge-freezer outside its warranty period when the fault is eligible. | Before replacing my appliance, I want to understand the cost and feasibility of repairing the one I already have. |
A fridge or freezer does indeed operate 24 hours a day, but this alone does not identify a fault, establish whether the appliance can be repaired or reveal the real benefit of replacing it.
Ask for a diagnosis or quote, then compare it with a new appliance of suitable capacity. ADEME’s annual benchmarks are not an estimate of your household bill.
The energy class comes with other important information: annual consumption, storage capacities and noise. A larger or more fully equipped appliance will not necessarily meet the same needs as a compact model.
Compare appliances from the same family with similar usable capacities, then check the kWh/year, fridge and freezer litres, noise level and dimensions before choosing a rating.
A freezer compartment that is too small limits storage, while an appliance that is too large can take up too much space in the kitchen and increase consumption.
List your shopping, food-preparation and freezing habits before choosing between a single-door fridge, fridge-freezer and separate freezer. Use the stated capacity for each compartment.
Cooling appliances fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment stream, which requires suitable collection.
When buying, confirm with the seller how the “one-for-one” take-back of your old appliance of the same type works, and arrange for it to be collected or dropped off. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that this take-back applies to household appliances without a minimum sales-floor area threshold.
Bosch has a presence in France across fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers, with information focused on the energy label and comparisons of consumption, capacity and noise.
Liebherr offers freestanding and built-in fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers, with technologies such as NoFrost and BioFresh available across its ranges.
Beko offers, among other products, built-in fridge-freezers designed for integrated kitchens, with different features depending on the reference.
Whirlpool sells freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers, some of which offer Dual No Frost, dedicated compartments, or Holiday and Super Freeze modes.
These Joybuy options are fridge-freezers with separate fridge and freezer compartments, suitable for households that need both fresh and frozen-food storage. Compare their capacities, annual consumption, dimensions and installation requirements before making your choice.
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For households looking for a fridge-freezer with separate fridge and freezer capacities, plus a stated noise level of 35 dB.
Class C, 165 kWh/year, 215 L fridge capacity and 115 L freezer capacity. Total No Frost, 0 °C zone, humidity-controlled drawer and reversible door; dimensions 595 × 1856 × 600 mm.
Check that the 215 L / 115 L split suits your habits, and make sure there is enough clearance for installation in your kitchen.
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Suitable for comparing a mid-sized fridge-freezer, particularly when noise and defrosting are important considerations.
Class C, 169 kWh/year, 183 L fridge capacity, 113 L freezer capacity and a 37 L fresh-food zone. Total No Frost and a stated noise level of 34 dB; dimensions 597 × 1860 × 674 mm.
The product details require at least 5 cm of clearance at the rear, above and on the sides. Compare the capacity split with your needs before prioritising the fresh-food zone.
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This option is designed for a narrow kitchen that needs a proper freezer compartment in an appliance measuring 54 cm wide.
Class E, 215 kWh/year, 187 L fridge capacity and 75 L freezer capacity. Low Frost technology, stated noise level of 39 dB and reversible door; dimensions 1760 × 540 × 550 mm.
Low Frost does not eliminate manual defrosting. This model is designed for an ambient temperature of 16 to 38 °C: check the intended installation location.
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This large format is suitable for households with substantial fresh and frozen-food storage needs and enough floor space.
Class E, 290 kWh/year, 311 L fridge capacity and 156 L freezer capacity. Total No Frost, separate temperature controls and a stated noise level of 35 dB(A); dimensions 181,5 × 83,3 × 65 cm.
Its width of 83,3 cm and capacity of 467 L may be excessive for modest requirements. Compare it only with fridge-freezers of a similar capacity and format.
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For households looking for a mid-sized fridge-freezer with separate fridge and freezer compartments.
Class E, 228 kWh/year, 193 L fridge capacity and 89 L freezer capacity. NoFrost freezer, MultiAirflow, adjustable shelves and three freezer drawers; dimensions 1760 × 600 × 660 mm.
Check the noise level if your kitchen is open-plan. The product details state clearances of 5 cm at the rear, 2 cm on each side and 10 cm above.
No. ADEME provides annual consumption benchmarks to indicate the typical range for appliances that operate 24 hours a day, but they do not predict the actual consumption of a particular model or your installation. First compare the kWh/year figures for models of the same type and similar capacity.
Compare the A to G rating, annual consumption in kWh, fresh and frozen storage capacities, as well as the noise level in dB(A) and its class. The European Commission states that the QR code provides access to additional information about the model in EPREL.
Not necessarily. Since 1 March 2021, cooling appliances have used a rescaled A to G rating, replacing the former A+, A++ and A+++ classes. Compare the current label and annual consumption in kWh rather than comparing an old rating with a new one.
Yes. ecosystem indicates a €25 Bonus Réparation for a fridge, freezer or fridge-freezer repaired outside its warranty period by a QualiRépar professional, where the fault is eligible. Some removable accessories and consumables, such as a light bulb, shelf or bottle rack, are excluded.
When buying an equivalent appliance, ask the seller about the “one-for-one” take-back of your old equipment. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that this obligation applies to electronic equipment, household appliances and lamps without a minimum sales-floor area threshold; arrange a suitable collection or drop-off.