First, have the repair assessed if you can get a diagnosis in time to protect your food. If you need to replace the fridge, check the route into your home, the space available and the delivery service before comparing capacity, annual energy consumption and noise levels. According to ANSES, cold temperatures slow the growth of micro-organisms, so you’ll need to make arrangements for storing food while you decide.
If you have food to keep chilled, consider how long a diagnosis will take, how long delivery might take and how you’ll store food in the meantime. ANSES explains why keeping food cold matters; even in a hurry, you’ll still need to check that a replacement appliance is right for your household.
Your fridge needs to fit all the way through to the kitchen and into its designated space, with the clearances specified in the manual. Measure these areas before choosing a capacity or style.
ADEME recommends considering repair for refrigeration appliances. If you do need a replacement, its advice also suggests checking the energy consumption and expected lifespan of the product you’re considering.
After a breakdown, make arrangements to keep your food safe while you get the appliance assessed for repair or prepare to replace it. If you’re buying a new fridge, first make sure it can be delivered and installed, then narrow down your choice of compartments and features.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping food cold | Time needed for a diagnosis or delivery; how to store food in the meantime. | When there’s food to keep at home, I want to minimise the time without a working appliance, without assuming that delivery means it’s ready to use. Around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Access and installation | Measurements of the route and the space available; clearances required by the manual and details of the delivery service. | If access or the kitchen is narrow, I need to be sure the appliance will fit through and can be installed. For around 24% of consumers, this compatibility comes before other considerations. |
| Everyday capacity | Fridge and freezer compartment capacities in litres, based on your shopping and household needs. | I store fresh and frozen food, so the split between compartments needs to suit my habits. Getting the capacity right is a priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Energy use and lifespan | Declared consumption in kWh/year; repair or durability information applicable to the product. | Before replacing my appliance, I want to consider whether it can be repaired, then look at the energy consumption and maintenance options for a new model. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this longer-term perspective. |
An appliance with the right capacity for your household may still not fit through the access points, or may not leave enough room for the clearances specified in its manual.
Measure the entire route and the space where the fridge will go. If the seller lists both packaged and unpackaged dimensions, check which ones apply at each stage of delivery.
Having a fridge delivered doesn’t necessarily mean that unpacking, positioning it or taking away your old appliance is included in the service.
Ask for the stated delivery date or timeframe and check exactly which services are included with your order. Make separate arrangements to keep your food safe until then.
The energy rating letter alone won’t tell you whether the compartments meet your storage needs. The European Commission also lists capacity, annual energy consumption and noise levels as useful information to consider when choosing refrigeration appliances.
For each specific model, compare the capacity of each compartment with your habits, then compare the declared figures in kWh/year and dB.
ADEME says that some refrigeration appliances can be repaired. Ordering a replacement straight away could mean missing out on this option, while waiting for a diagnosis won’t solve the problem of keeping your food safe.
Ask a professional for a diagnosis and quote, then weigh up the time needed to get the appliance working again against your situation. Check with the repairer whether any repair assistance is available.
These fridge-freezers are options if you’re looking for a replacement. First, choose a style and compartments to suit your shopping habits. Then, for the model you’ve selected, check the route in, installation requirements and delivery details; placing an order won’t, by itself, keep your food cold while your fridge is out of action.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want a three-door appliance that combines fridge and freezer storage. The product title lists a 360 L capacity, Total No Frost and an E energy rating.
Measure the route in and the space available, then check the installation clearances and delivery service before ordering.
Image unavailable
Consider this if your shopping needs call for a total capacity of 467 L in a four-door style. The product title mentions Total No Frost and an E energy rating.
Check that the doors can open comfortably in your kitchen, that the appliance will fit through to its intended position and what the delivery service includes.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you need plenty of storage: the product title lists a total capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating.
Confirm the door configuration of the model on offer and check whether that version needs a water connection. Also check access, the space available and delivery services.
Image unavailable
Consider this if a total capacity of 444 L is your priority. The product title mentions no manual defrosting, 40 dB and an E energy rating.
Get the dimensions and required clearances for this model before checking the route in, the space available and delivery.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want a freezer below the fridge in a 282 L appliance. The product title lists an E energy rating.
Check the door opening direction, dimensions and required clearances. If noise matters in your home, check the dB rating for the exact model.
Not necessarily: ADEME says some refrigeration appliances can be repaired. A professional can provide a diagnosis and quote. Compare the time needed to get it working again with your food storage needs and the time a potential delivery might take.
For each specific model, compare compartment capacities in litres, declared annual energy consumption in kWh/year and declared noise levels in dB. ADEME and the European Commission present the energy label as a starting point; then check how these figures match your storage habits and the space available.
Measure the space where the fridge will go and the entire delivery route, then check the model’s manual for installation clearances. Ask the seller for the stated delivery date or timeframe, and confirm whether positioning the appliance is included in the service.
Ordering a fridge won’t restore the cold straight away. ANSES explains that low temperatures slow the growth of micro-organisms. When deciding what to do with food after a loss of refrigeration, consider the type of food, its temperature and how long it has been exposed, and follow the relevant food safety advice.