To replace your fridge without buying more capacity than you need, first work out the usable capacity and style that will fit your kitchen. Then compare the annual energy use in kWh of models with similar capacities. A fridge freezer is a good choice if you regularly freeze food; if you rarely do, check whether a fridge alone would suit your needs. In either case, the available space and ventilation requirements could rule out a model that otherwise looks suitable on paper.
You’re replacing an appliance that runs all the time and want to avoid paying for capacity you won’t use. ADEME advises taking size and over-specification into account. When comparing models, look at their kWh/year figures alongside their respective capacities.
You store frozen food or meals prepared in advance. The split between fridge and freezer capacity matters more to you than the total capacity alone.
You’re replacing a built-in appliance or need to fit a freestanding model into a measured space. Check the dimensions, door opening and ventilation requirements before choosing an appliance.
Consider this if : you mainly store fresh food and rarely freeze anything, or already have a separate freezer.
Bear in mind : you won’t be able to store frozen food in the same appliance unless it has a suitable compartment.
Consider this if : you regularly freeze food and want to keep fresh and frozen items in one appliance.
Bear in mind : the capacity split between the two compartments may not suit your habits, even if the total capacity seems sufficient.
Once you’ve worked out how much freezer space you need, check the installation requirements, then compare the energy use and capacities of models suited to your household. Each row below reflects a key priority consumers might have when replacing their appliance.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use and capacity | Compare kWh/year figures for similar styles and capacities; consider the energy rating alongside usable capacity. | If I’m replacing an appliance that runs all the time, I want to avoid paying for litres I won’t use. Around 29 % of consumers would prioritise energy use and a suitable capacity. |
| Freezer space | Check the capacity in litres of each compartment separately and, if necessary, the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | I regularly freeze shopping or prepared meals, so the space set aside for frozen food needs to suit the way I use it. Freezing would be a priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Installation | Measure the space and door opening; follow the instructions for clearance or ventilation requirements in the housing unit. | In a kitchen with a housing unit or narrow access, I need to be able to install and open the appliance properly. Around 21 % of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Maintenance and food storage | Check which compartment has No Frost or automatic defrost, and read the maintenance instructions. | I want freezer maintenance and food organisation to fit in with my habits. Around 21 % of consumers would put this need first. |
The rating doesn’t tell you the annual energy use: appliances in different styles or with different capacities won’t meet the same needs. ADEME points out that size and over-specification are important considerations when choosing an appliance that runs all the time.
Compare the kWh/year figures with the net capacities, and start by comparing appliances with capacities that suit your habits.
The depth, door opening and airflow requirements can all prevent an appliance from being installed in line with the instructions. The requirements for a built-in appliance aren’t the same as those for a freestanding model.
Measure the height and depth too, as well as the delivery route, then check the installation diagram for the model you’ve chosen.
Defrosting and airflow may be described separately for the fridge and freezer. A technology name on its own doesn’t tell you enough to make a decision unless it specifies which compartment it applies to.
Check the details for each compartment and choose features that suit the way you’ll actually use the appliance.
Set-up guidance varies by manufacturer and model. In its installation instructions, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging the appliance in.
Follow the instructions supplied with your appliance before plugging it in and filling it.
Bosch offers built-in and freestanding models. Compare the dimensions and features of each model individually.
When considering an Electrolux built-in fridge freezer, check the model details alongside the installation instructions.
Whirlpool provides ventilation guidance to help you prepare a space for a fridge.
These models combine refrigeration and freezing, with a range of capacities and styles, including a built-in appliance. First, choose a model based on the space you need for each compartment and your kitchen’s constraints, then check its annual energy use.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer to store fresh and frozen food regularly. The product name lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an E rating. Check the capacity of each compartment and the required clearances before choosing.
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Consider this model if you genuinely need a large capacity for fresh and frozen food. It’s listed with Total No Frost and an E rating. Check that its 467 L capacity and four-door design will suit your space and fit through the delivery route.
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Compare this model if you’re looking for a large capacity and want to check the annual energy use. The product name lists a capacity of 440 L and a D rating. Check the split between compartments, the dimensions and how the freezer defrosts to make sure they suit your needs.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen with a compatible housing unit and a limited need for freezer space. This single-door model has a freezer compartment at the top and an E rating. Check the housing unit dimensions, door fixing system, ventilation and the space available for frozen food.
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Consider this model if you need two compartments but don’t want to choose a very large capacity straight away. The product name lists a capacity of 368 L and an E rating. Check that the space for fresh and frozen food suits your habits, then confirm the dimensions and stated storage time in the event of a power cut, if that’s a concern.
Compare their annual energy use in kWh, taking the style and capacity of each appliance into account. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how much a model with a different capacity will use. ADEME also highlights the importance of size and avoiding over-specification for an appliance that runs all the time.
Not necessarily. A fridge alone may suit a household that rarely uses frozen food or already has a separate freezer. If you choose a fridge freezer, check how many litres are set aside for the freezer rather than looking only at the total capacity.
Follow the clearance guidance in the instructions for your chosen model. Whirlpool recommends leaving 5 cm above and 10 cm behind a freestanding appliance, but for a built-in model you’ll need to check its own ventilation diagram.
Check the housing unit dimensions, the door fixing system and the ventilation route. A similar width to your old appliance isn’t enough: compare your measurements with the installation diagram for the new model.
Check the instructions supplied with your appliance first. In its installation instructions, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging it in. Follow the guidance for your specific model before using it.