Before buying household appliances, work out which functions you need in your home and which appliances already meet those needs. ADEME recommends keeping appliances that are still suitable and considering repair before replacing them. If you need a function that your current appliances don’t cover, choose between new and refurbished based on how you plan to use it, the space available, the product’s condition and the information provided by the seller.
If you’re moving in with few appliances, start by identifying the everyday tasks you need to cover. Consider the space available, the number of people in your household and your habits before choosing an appliance type or capacity.
When moving home or reorganising, check which appliances are still suitable for your home and the way you use them. Maintenance or a diagnostic check can help you decide whether to keep, repair or replace them.
If you’re considering this option, remember that a refurbished appliance is not the same as a second-hand item. Check the stated condition, the specifications of the model being sold and the seller’s status before making a decision.
Whether you’re furnishing a home or updating its appliances, first identify the functions you still need. Then compare each option against the space available, how often you’ll use it and the condition of your existing appliances.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Functions and space | List the functions you still need and the appliances you already have. Measure the space and check the access and connections required for the model. | When I move in, I want to cover my everyday needs without filling my home with appliances I rarely use. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise finding the right balance between functions and space. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the energy labels of appliances in the same category and with a similar capacity. Check the noise level too if the appliance will be used near a living area. | If an appliance will be used frequently near my living space, its energy use and noise matter just as much as what it does. For around 29% of consumers, these usage conditions would be the top priority. |
| Keeping and repairing appliances | Check the appliance’s condition, its maintenance needs and whether a diagnostic check is possible. If you’re considering a repair, ask for a quote. | I’d rather keep an appliance that still meets my needs than replace it as soon as something goes wrong. Around 21% of consumers would put the option to keep or repair an appliance first. |
| Buying refurbished | Check the condition and specifications of the product actually being sold, the tests it has undergone and whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | If I’m buying an appliance without automatically choosing new, I want to know what I’m buying and who I’m buying it from. Around 14% of consumers would put access to refurbished products and the associated guarantees first. |
The ADEME-EDF study looks at the appliances owned by households in mainland France, but what other households own is not a shopping list for your home.
Take stock of the functions you need and the appliances you already own. Only add an appliance if it meets a need that isn’t currently covered.
Every additional appliance also takes up space and needs maintaining.
Sometimes a maintenance visit can solve the problem. ADEME recommends diagnosing the fault before deciding that replacement is necessary.
Check the routine maintenance first, then ask for a diagnostic check and a quote if you’re considering a professional repair. In France, eligibility for the repair bonus depends, among other things, on the product and fault being eligible and on using an approved repairer, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition.
A larger capacity isn’t automatically more useful. For washing machines, ADEME says that 7 kg is enough most of the time, although you should still consider how much laundry you actually wash.
Compare appliances with a capacity that suits your usual loads and how often you run a cycle.
The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes refurbished products, whose features have been tested and which have been restored if necessary, from ordinary second-hand goods. The seller’s status also affects the protections that apply to your purchase.
Check the product description, its condition and the tests it has undergone. If you buy from a business, keep a copy of the listing and your receipt.
These appliances are for storing food and washing clothes or dishes. Before choosing one, check whether your home really needs this function or whether an appliance you already own can still do the job.
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Worth considering if you need an appliance for washing clothes and a 7 kg capacity suits your usual loads.
The model name indicates a spin speed of 1 400 rpm and an energy rating of A. Check the dimensions and connections required for your chosen space.
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Consider this if you need a dishwasher and a capacity of 14 place settings suits your usual needs.
This model is listed as 60 cm wide, with a noise level of 41 dB and an energy rating of C. Check that you have enough space and the necessary connections.
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Consider this if you need to refrigerate and freeze food in one appliance, provided its capacity suits your household.
The model name specifies three doors, Total No Frost technology and an energy rating of E. Check the space available, the clearance needed and whether it will fit through the access route on delivery.
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Its countertop design could be a good fit if you need a dishwasher for a small kitchen. Check the space available and how much washing up you need it to handle.
The model name specifies a built-in 5 L water tank, « 6+3 » advertised programmes and an energy rating of D. Check how it is filled and connected before buying.
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Worth considering for a specific or additional food storage need, after checking that 92 L is enough for the way you plan to use it.
The model name mentions a freezer compartment and an energy rating of E. Check its full dimensions and the installation requirements for your home.
Start with the everyday functions that your existing appliances don’t cover. Depending on your home and habits, you may need to store food, cook or wash clothes. The ADEME-EDF study of household appliances in mainland France describes what households own, not what everyone should buy.
Consider a repair if the appliance still meets your needs and a diagnostic check can identify a suitable fix. ADEME recommends finding out what caused the fault before replacing the appliance. For a professional repair, ask for a quote and check whether you’re eligible for the repair bonus.
Compare appliances in the same category and with a capacity suited to your needs. Look at the information relevant to that category, including the stated energy use, capacity and, where shown on the label, water use per cycle or noise level. Don’t choose a larger capacity just to get an additional function.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual in France. Check that the description matches the appliance being sold and keep proof of purchase. This type of sale is not the same as a transaction between private individuals.
Check the model’s dimensions, the route to its intended position and the connections it needs. For a fridge or dishwasher, also make sure its capacity suits your needs and check the delivery and installation options available for your order.