Start with the appliances that run continuously or feature most often in your routine: a fridge, freezer or regularly used dishwasher deserves a detailed comparison with a model designed for the same purpose. Compare kWh/year for refrigeration, kWh/100 Eco cycles for dishwashers and kWh/cycle for ovens. Then weigh these figures against usable capacity, your actual usage and how long you plan to keep the appliance.
Compare kWh/year with the refrigeration and freezing capacity you actually need, rather than focusing on the energy class alone. ADEME reminds us that refrigeration appliances run continuously, while the European Commission explains that the label also shows annual consumption and storage volumes.
Relate kWh/100 cycles and litres/cycle to your actual number of cycles, then check that the capacity and Eco programme duration suit your habits. ADEME states that energy consumption is expressed in kWh for 100 reference cycles.
Consider replacing a cooking appliance when it is used often enough for differences in consumption to be meaningful. Also check installation and cookware compatibility before choosing a solution.
First compare appliances designed for the same purpose and with a similar capacity, then relate the label figures to your actual usage pattern.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance to examine first | For refrigeration, note the kWh/year and compare appliances with similar capacities and configurations. For a dishwasher or oven, start with the label’s reference unit and your usage frequency. | I want to know whether an appliance used 24 hours a day or equipment used frequently is genuinely worth investigating before other options. |
| Volume and capacity | Compare the litre capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments, or the number of place settings for a dishwasher. Check whether permanent features, such as ice-making, are essential. | My new appliance must meet my usual storage or load requirements without steering me towards an unnecessarily large capacity. |
| The right comparison unit | For a dishwasher, calculate kWh/100 Eco cycles × annual number of cycles ÷ 100. For an oven, compare kWh/cycle using conventional or fan-assisted heat, depending on the mode used. | I want to compare figures that reflect my usage, rather than looking at an energy class or rated power in isolation. |
| Service life and repairs | For a dishwasher, check the repairability index for the exact model and the information available about spare parts. In France, the repairability index applies to dishwashers among other products, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition. | If my current appliance is still usable, I want to weigh up replacement, repairability and the expected period of use. |
A larger fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer meets a different need and cannot be compared directly with a smaller appliance. ADEME also points out that over-equipping your home can increase consumption.
Compare kWh/year with the litres you actually need, the compartments and permanent features, while keeping to the same appliance category for a fair comparison.
The label value is based on 100 Eco programme cycles, whereas the frequency of use, load size and programmes vary from one household to another.
Estimate your annual number of cycles, apply the conversion formula, then check that the capacity and Eco programme duration fit the way you organise your household.
ADEME presents an average scenario that favours induction over ceramic hobs, but the result depends on the number of cycles and actual usage. Hobs do not have an energy label comparable to that of ovens.
Use these benchmarks to decide whether a closer comparison is worthwhile, then check the installation, cookware and model specifications before buying.
An induction hob may require compatible cookware and adaptations to the electrical installation, depending on the property and the model.
A replacement motivated by energy consumption can shorten an appliance’s useful life when a repair may still be possible. European rules provide, among other things, for certain dishwasher spare parts to remain available for ten years after the product is withdrawn from the market.
Compare the repairability index for the exact model, the condition of your existing appliance and whether a repair is feasible. A repairability score guarantees neither a particular repair cost nor a specific level of reliability.
Worth considering for a dishwasher when the installation type — freestanding, integrated, under-counter or compact — needs to be decided before comparing models with similar dimensions and capacities.
Worth considering for an integrated dishwasher when you want to compare the exact model’s Eco programme data and niche dimensions.
Worth considering when the repairability index shown for the exact reference is part of your selection criteria, alongside the energy label and capacity.
This selection brings together compact dishwashers and refrigeration appliances to compare with your current appliance, usable capacity and frequency of use.
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A compact option for a small household that can tailor its cycles to a 6-place-setting capacity.
The product information states 49 kWh/100 uses, 6.5 L per cycle, 7 programmes and a 215-minute Eco programme.
Check that the capacity avoids the need for multiple cycles, and consult the exact model’s repairability index before buying.
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For comparison with a large-capacity refrigeration appliance that runs continuously.
The stated consumption is 290 kWh/year, with 311 L of fridge space and 156 L of freezer space.
Check that the dimensions of 181.5 × 83.3 × 65.0 cm, the freestanding installation and this capacity suit your home and household.
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A large-capacity format to assess against a genuinely high storage requirement.
The product information states 289 kWh/year, a total capacity of 444 L, a frost-free system and a noise level of 40 dB.
Before comparing it with your old appliance, check the respective capacities of the fridge and freezer compartments.
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Consider this only if your household genuinely uses very large storage compartments.
The product information states 301 kWh/year, 330 L of fridge space, 165 L of freezer space and a total capacity of 495 L.
Check the dimensions of 177.6 × 81.7 × 71.5 cm, the clearance required and the installation requirements for the water and ice dispenser.
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A compact solution when limited space is the main concern rather than storing food for an entire household.
The model offers 92 L of capacity, a width of 47 cm, a reversible door and a compact freezer compartment.
Check the kWh/year on the label or model information, as well as the freezer compartment capacity, before assessing it as a way to reduce consumption.
Compare kWh/year between appliances of a similar type and capacity. The European Commission states that the label also gives the compartment volumes and noise level; these details help you check that the models meet the same storage requirement.
Divide the Eco programme’s kWh/100 cycles by 100, then multiply the result by the number of cycles your household realistically expects to run in a year. Also check litres per cycle, place settings, Eco programme duration and noise level.
Yes, for a regulated comparison: the label expresses consumption for 100 reference cycles of the Eco programme. ADEME and the European Commission present this programme as the basis for comparison, but it must still suit your washing routine.
No. The European Commission states that energy labelling is mandatory for ovens and cooker hoods, while hobs are covered by ecodesign requirements. For an oven, compare kWh/cycle according to the cooking mode; for a hob, do not infer annual consumption from its rated power alone.
Yes, it complements the energy label for dishwashers covered by the scheme. The ministry responsible for ecological transition explains that this score out of 10 indicates how repairable a product is; it does not replace checking spare parts, capacity, consumption or installation requirements.