Households with an older fridge or freezer
A fridge, fridge freezer or freezer runs constantly. To decide whether to act on this appliance, compare its annual energy use with the storage capacity you actually need.
Who is this advice for?
Households that use their dishwasher often
If you run frequent cycles, capacity, energy use and water use per cycle all matter. If the appliance has broken down, it’s also worth getting it assessed before buying a replacement.
Households that need to replace a cooking appliance
If an electric hob or oven has broken down or gets heavy use, check the energy use of the model you’re considering against how often you cook and, for an oven, its usable capacity.
What should you compare before deciding?
Start with how you use your current appliance and whether it can be repaired. Then compare the stated energy use of appliances in the same category and with a capacity that suits your needs.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Target your spending | Identify appliances that run constantly or are used frequently. Check their stated energy use and how often you use them before considering a purchase. | I want to focus on an appliance that affects my bills, without replacing one at random. According to the Médiateur national de l’énergie’s 2025 energy-info survey, carried out in September 2025 among 2,000 households in mainland France, 85% feel that their energy bills take up a significant share of their budget and 36% say they have difficulty paying them. These figures do not measure the benefits of replacing an appliance. |
| Fridge or freezer and capacity | For a fridge or freezer, compare the type, net capacity and kWh/year. Check the details for the exact model on its energy label or in EPREL. | My appliance runs day and night. I’m looking for a suitable capacity, without assuming that a better energy label rating alone will reduce my consumption. |
| Repair | Get the fault diagnosed and check the warranty. For an eligible dishwasher, the repairability index indicates how easy or difficult the product is to repair. In France, check the Bonus Réparation terms separately. | If my appliance has broken down, I’d rather find out whether it can be repaired before comparing the cost of replacing it with an equivalent new model. |
| Dishwasher | Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and capacity. Also check the Eco programme duration, noise level and whether it will fit in the space available. | I run cycles often, so I need a capacity that suits my household’s meals, without choosing lower energy use at the expense of an important practical requirement. |
| Electric cooking appliances | Compare hobs and ovens separately, and relate the details of the model you’re considering to how often you usually cook. For an oven, check its usable capacity too. | An electric hob or oven that gets heavy use, or already needs replacing, deserves my attention. I won’t assume that replacing it will have the same impact in every household. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Choosing a bigger fridge just because it’s new
ADEME points out that size and certain extra features can affect energy use, even when you replace an appliance.
Work out the usable capacity you need before comparing the kWh/year of appliances of the same type and similar capacity.
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Comparing an old A+++ rating directly with a current rating
The European Commission explains that the move to the A-to-G scale changed the rating letter for some appliances, without changing their features.
Compare the stated energy use of the exact model: kWh/year for fridges and freezers, or kWh per 100 cycles for dishwashers.
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Looking only at a dishwasher’s electricity use
A capacity that doesn’t suit your needs or a cycle that takes too long can change how you use the appliance.
Consider energy use, water use, place settings, Eco programme duration and noise together, and choose a size that fits your kitchen.
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Ruling out a repair before identifying the fault
Repair may still be an option. According to ecosystem, eligibility for the Bonus Réparation in France depends, among other things, on the warranty, the type of fault and using a QualiRépar professional. Cosmetic damage and routine maintenance aren’t covered by the scheme.
Ask for a diagnosis and check the applicable terms before comparing repair with replacement.
Which brands feature in the sources consulted?
The fridge selection published by Guide Topten in July 2026 includes models from Liebherr, Miele and Bosch, among others. A brand appearing in the selection doesn’t tell you how every one of its appliances performs, so compare the exact models.
Liebherr
Liebherr fridges feature in the Guide Topten selection.
- The net capacity and kWh/year figures for the models featured help you assess whether they meet a specific storage need.
- This selection doesn’t allow you to draw conclusions about all Liebherr models.
Miele
Miele fridges also feature in the Guide Topten selection.
- The capacity, noise and energy-use details for the models featured help you compare specific configurations.
- Check the details of the model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to the whole brand.
Bosch
Bosch fridges also appear in the Guide Topten selection.
- For these models, capacity and kWh/year provide a useful basis for comparison with appliances of the same type.
- Their inclusion says nothing about all Bosch appliances or how easy they are to repair.
Appliances to compare on Joybuy
These options are for replacing a fridge, freezer or dishwasher. To decide whether one is right for you, compare its capacity, energy label details and installation requirements with your current appliance and your needs. If your appliance has broken down, a repair diagnosis may also be worthwhile.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you need plenty of storage space. Check that the capacity genuinely suits your needs before comparing annual energy use. The product name lists an E rating, Total No Frost and Smart Inverter technology; check the energy label for the exact model.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge freezer, 360 L
Consider the stated 360 L capacity in relation to the space you need for fresh and frozen food. The product name lists an E rating, Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the annual energy use on the exact model’s energy label before comparing it with other appliances.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, 444 L fridge
Check that the capacity suits your storage needs and that the appliance will fit in the space available. The product name lists an E rating, frost-free operation and a noise level of 40 dB. Check the energy label for the exact model’s annual energy use.
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COMFEE' RCU40WH2(E), 31 L mini freezer
This compact size is suited to limited freezing needs, not to replacing a large freezer with one of the same capacity. The product name lists 147 kWh/year, an E rating and a reversible door. Check these details on the exact model’s energy label and make sure the appliance will fit in the space available.
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AEG FSB34707Z, 60 cm fully integrated dishwasher, 14 place settings
Its capacity of 14 place settings may suit you if it matches your usual washing loads. Also check the niche dimensions and door panel needed for installation. The product name lists a C rating. To compare it with other dishwashers, check the energy label for kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Which appliance should I check first to reduce my electricity use?
Start with your fridge or freezer, as it runs constantly, then look at the appliances you use frequently. ADEME highlights these different usage patterns in its energy-use guidance. However, whether it’s worth replacing an appliance depends on its type, capacity and energy use, as well as how you actually use it.
How can I compare two fridges beyond their energy ratings?
Compare their type, net capacity and kWh/year for similar storage needs. The European Commission notes that the move to the A-to-G scale changed the rating letters for some appliances. You can check the exact model’s entry in EPREL for information from its energy label.
What should I look for when buying a dishwasher?
ADEME recommends checking kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle, then looking at capacity, Eco programme duration and noise. Compare sizes that will fit your kitchen, and consider the energy label details alongside how many cycles you run.
Could a repair qualify for the Bonus Réparation?
Yes, in France, if the appliance and fault meet the scheme’s conditions and the repair is carried out by a QualiRépar professional. According to ecosystem, the appliance must, among other things, be out of warranty. Cosmetic damage, some faults linked to the conditions in which the appliance is used and routine maintenance are excluded. Have the fault assessed before relying on a deduction.