If your budget means replacing appliances one at a time, start by looking at the one you rely on most, and whether its condition or energy use makes a replacement worthwhile. According to ADEME, refrigeration appliances run continuously, so they’re often worth assessing before a cooker or oven you rarely use. However, compare how you actually use each appliance and the capacity you need, and consider repair before making a decision.
If several appliances are getting old at the same time, their condition, how often you use them and how useful they are day to day can help you decide which one to assess first. If an appliance that still suits your household breaks down, it’s also worth looking into a repair.
A refrigerator or freezer runs continuously, ADEME points out. To decide whether to replace it, compare its energy use and capacity with those of a model that genuinely meets your needs.
If your washing machine or dishwasher has broken down, weigh up the repair quote against the appliance’s condition and usefulness. If you’re buying new, also check the capacity and the repairability or durability information that applies to its category.
Start by comparing the performance and condition of the appliances you already own. Then look at the specifications of any potential replacement with a similar capacity.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration appliance | Note the usable capacity, condition and energy use of your current appliance. Compare these with the label of a model with a suitable capacity. ADEME points out that refrigerators and freezers run continuously. | My refrigerator or freezer is used every day. I want to know whether replacing it meets a genuine need, without assuming I’ll make the same savings as another household. |
| Laundry or dishwashing appliance | Consider how often you run cycles and the capacity you need. For dishwashers, ADEME says the label includes information such as kWh per 100 reference cycles and litres per cycle. Compare these figures with the programmes you usually use. | Washing clothes or doing the dishes is a big part of my daily routine. I’m looking for a suitable capacity, rather than automatically choosing a larger appliance. |
| Cooking appliance | Check the condition of your oven or hob and how often you use it. Before switching to a different type of hob, check that your installation and cookware are compatible. | I cook with this appliance often, or it no longer meets my needs. I want to weigh up its priority against appliances that run continuously. |
| Possible repair | Get a quote and check the warranty, the fault and whether the appliance is eligible for the Repair Bonus. According to ecosystem, the discount on your bill applies to eligible work carried out by a QualiRépar-approved repairer. | Before ruling out an appliance that’s still useful, I want to understand the repair options. In an ADEME/Gifam Insights study carried out in August 2024 with 10,020 adults representative of the French population, repair cost was the leading factor when choosing a repair service for 80% of respondents. This finding does not rank which appliances should be replaced. |
| Durability when buying | For applicable washing machines, check the durability index out of 10, which combines repairability and reliability according to the French Ministry of the Economy. For applicable dishwashers, check the repairability index and its criteria, including spare parts. | If I need to buy a replacement, I want to compare repair options and stated reliability, as well as the energy use shown on the label. |
The reference figures published by ADEME are based on assumptions about how appliances are used. They won’t necessarily reflect the size of your appliances or how many cycles you run at home.
For each appliance, note how often you use it, its capacity and condition, and any available energy-use figures. Then compare models with similar dimensions and functions.
Energy use after replacement depends on factors including the model you choose and your habits. A difference between reference appliances alone can’t predict the result in your home.
Check the label for the exact model and compare its figures with those of your current appliance and the way you use it.
An appliance that still suits your household may be able to keep going after a repair. However, the Repair Bonus described by ecosystem is subject to conditions relating to the appliance, the fault, the warranty and the repairer.
Ask an approved repairer for a quote and check whether the work is eligible before deciding to replace the appliance.
A larger capacity won’t necessarily suit your household’s usual loads. When choosing a laundry appliance, consider its capacity alongside cycle information and installation requirements.
Think about the loads you typically wash. For a dishwasher, also compare kWh per 100 reference cycles, water per cycle, noise levels and the dimensions required for installation.
These refrigerators, freezer, dishwasher and washing machines offer two possible replacement routes: refrigeration and laundry. Their inclusion here doesn’t determine the order of your purchases; start by considering the condition and use of the appliances you already have.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re replacing a refrigeration appliance and need 467 L of capacity. The title lists an E energy class, Total No Frost technology and a Smart Inverter compressor. Check that this capacity suits the way you use it before comparing energy consumption.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if your dishwasher needs replacing and 14 place settings suit your usual loads. The title lists a C energy class. Before buying, confirm the exact dimensions and check that it will fit your kitchen unit, as the stated size information is inconsistent.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if 262 L meets your storage needs. The title specifies a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Measure the space and compare its energy label with that of the appliance you’re replacing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if your usual loads call for a 10 kg capacity. The title mentions an Inverter motor. To compare this washing machine with others, check its energy label and the durability index that applies to washing machines in France.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if 60 L of freezer space is enough for your household, rather than as a like-for-like replacement for a large freezer without checking first. The title lists three drawers and an E energy class. Check the annual energy consumption on the label for the exact model when comparing refrigeration appliances.
No. As ADEME points out, it’s worth assessing because it runs continuously. But your decision also depends on its condition and energy use, the capacity you need and how you use the other appliances in your household.
Compare factors such as kWh per 100 reference cycles, litres per cycle, capacity and noise levels. ADEME explains what the energy-use figures on the label mean. Compare them with the programmes you use, and check the installation dimensions too.
In France, the durability index for applicable washing machines combines repairability and reliability criteria in a score out of 10, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Check the details behind the score when comparing models; it doesn’t replace checking the capacity and considering how you use the appliance.
No. According to ecosystem, eligibility depends on factors including the appliance, the fault, whether the appliance is covered by a warranty and whether you use a QualiRépar-approved repairer. Confirm the conditions and get a quote before deciding whether to repair or replace it.