Start by looking at your fridge or freezer if it runs constantly and its capacity or features exceed your needs. When it comes to dishwashers and cooking appliances, what to prioritise depends more on how often you use them. Compare their stated energy consumption using the relevant units, and don’t assume that replacing an appliance will deliver the same savings in every household.
If your fridge, fridge freezer or freezer is always on, check its stated annual energy consumption, capacity and the features you actually use. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously.
If you run frequent cycles, compare electricity consumption per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle and the capacity you need. The European Commission lists these figures on dishwasher energy labels.
If you’re replacing an oven or hob, start with the cooking modes you use and the constraints of your kitchen. An oven’s stated energy consumption per cycle needs to be interpreted differently from that of a refrigeration appliance.
According to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously, so start by checking their size and annual energy consumption. If you’re considering replacing another appliance, relate the figures on its energy label to how you actually use it rather than directly comparing kWh/year, kWh/100 cycles and kWh/cycle.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Runs continuously | Compare the kWh/year shown on the energy labels of appliances with a suitable type and capacity. | My appliance stays on day and night, so I want to check its energy consumption before looking at appliances I only use occasionally. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Usable capacity | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, as well as the space available for installation. | I don’t want to run out of room for my shopping or power a capacity and features I rarely use. For nearly 31% of consumers, this would be their top priority. |
| Dishwasher cycles | Compare kWh/100 Eco cycles, litres per cycle and a capacity that suits your usual loads. | I use my dishwasher often, so the electricity and water used for each set of washes matter when I’m choosing one. Around 23% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Regular cooking | For an oven, check the kWh/cycle for the mode you use; for a hob, check the technology and whether your cookware is compatible. | I cook frequently and want an appliance that suits the dishes I make, without confusing an oven’s figures with those for refrigeration. Nearly 15% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
The letter doesn’t tell you whether the capacity suits your household. ADEME points out that a larger fridge or one with more features may use more electricity.
Also compare kWh/year and compartment capacities between appliances that suit the amount of food you actually store.
The European Commission shows annual energy consumption for refrigeration appliances, figures per 100 Eco cycles for dishwashers and figures per cycle for ovens. These values don’t cover the same period of use.
Keep the unit and reference mode for each energy label in mind, and consider how often you use each appliance before deciding which one to look at first.
A large refrigeration capacity and features you rarely use can increase energy consumption, while too little capacity may not meet your storage needs.
Think about the food you usually refrigerate and freeze, then choose a size to match.
The figures on the energy label are based on the Eco programme. If it never fits your routine, the programmes you usually run may not match this basis for comparison.
Check the cycle duration, capacity and available information about the programmes you plan to use.
These brands offer options to compare across refrigeration and dishwasher ranges. Your choice should come down to the energy label and exact model number, not the brand name alone.
Bosch offers fridge freezers and dishwashers, with specifications that vary from model to model.
Liebherr offers fridges, freezers and built-in models, among other appliances.
Miele offers integrated dishwashers, with Eco programme figures that vary by model.
These fridge freezers are options for replacing a refrigeration appliance that runs continuously. First choose a suitable capacity, then check the annual energy consumption and dimensions on the label and product information for the exact model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 344 L fridge freezer to replace your current refrigeration appliance.
The product title lists an E energy rating. Check the kWh/year on the energy label for the exact model and make sure its capacity suits your household.
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Consider it if a 333 L fridge freezer offers the storage space you need.
The product title mentions No Frost and an A energy rating. Check the annual energy consumption and dimensions in the exact model’s documentation before comparing it with other appliances.
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Before choosing this larger model, consider whether its stated 444 L capacity matches your storage needs.
The product title lists an E rating, a frost-free system and 40 dB. Check the energy label, the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions for the exact model.
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Worth considering if the stated 211 L fridge capacity and 99 L freezer capacity meet your needs.
The product title lists a width of 60 cm, a reversible door and an E rating. Check the kWh/year on the energy label, as well as the height and depth, before planning the installation.
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Compare it if you’ll make use of the 252 L fridge capacity and 103 L freezer capacity listed in the product title.
The product title lists a width of 60 cm, a reversible door and an E rating. Check the kWh/year on the energy label, and measure the height and depth you’ll need.
Compare energy consumption in kWh/year, the energy rating and the capacity of each compartment. For the relevant refrigeration appliances sold in the European Union, the European Commission says the label also shows the noise level. Compare these figures across models with a type and capacity that suit your household.
The energy label lets you compare energy use per 100 Eco cycles and water use per Eco cycle, as well as cycle duration, capacity and noise level. According to the European Commission, these figures are based on the Eco programme, so check that it suits how you plan to use the dishwasher.
No. The European Commission says there is no requirement for energy labels on hobs in the European Union, unlike ovens. If you’re replacing a hob, check which technology you want, whether your cookware is compatible and any restrictions on your installation.
No. An oven’s energy label shows consumption per cycle and cooking mode, while a fridge’s shows kWh/year. Consider how often you cook and which mode you use before deciding which appliance to replace first.
No. ADEME’s figures can help you identify appliances to look at, but they can’t predict the savings you’ll make by replacing one in your home. Appliance size and your usage habits also matter, so compare each model’s specifications with your own situation.