Start by looking at the appliance with the biggest difference between its annual energy use, based on how you actually use it, and that of a suitably sized model. A fridge or freezer that runs continuously is often worth comparing first, but age alone isn’t a reason to buy a replacement. Check whether keeping, using more efficiently or repairing your appliance would meet your needs.
If your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously, compare its annual energy use with that of a model offering the capacity you actually need. ADEME points out that size and usage affect real-world energy consumption.
If you run frequent cycles, energy use per programme matters, but the capacity, eco programme duration and noise level should also suit your household.
If you use your hob or oven very often, compare the appliance and your cooking habits before assuming that replacing it alone will reduce your energy use.
Start with the energy use and frequency of use of your current appliances, then compare each possible replacement with a model offering the right function and capacity. Repairing an appliance or changing how you use it could also help you avoid replacing it too soon.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge or freezer running continuously | Compare the prospective model’s energy use in kWh/year and usable capacity with your current appliance, and check that it will fit in the available space. | If my fridge or freezer runs day and night, I want to know whether a better-sized model would use less energy. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Repair or keep the appliance | Check the appliance’s condition, get a quote and consider how you could use it; check whether any repair support may be available. | Before replacing an appliance that’s still useful or repairable, I’d rather work out what difference buying a new one would actually make. This would be the top concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Dishwasher cycles | Check kWh/100 cycles and litres/cycle for the reference programme, then make sure the capacity suits the number of place settings you need. | As I run the dishwasher often, I want to use fewer resources per cycle without choosing a capacity that doesn’t suit my needs. Around 21% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Frequent electric cooking | For an oven, check the capacity and kWh/cycle for the cooking mode you use; for a hob, consider the technology and your usage habits. | I cook very regularly and want to understand what a different appliance could change, compared with what I could change about the way I cook. This would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A fridge or freezer runs continuously, while dishwasher and cooking habits vary from one household to another. Age alone won’t tell you which replacement would make the biggest difference to your energy use.
Note how often you use each appliance and how much energy it uses, then compare plausible annual differences with suitably sized models.
Energy data is expressed in different units: kWh/year for fridges and freezers, kWh/100 cycles for dishwashers and kWh/cycle for ovens. Capacity also affects whether a comparison is like for like.
Compare appliances with the same function and check the label and product information for the exact model. ADEME says that the label’s QR code links to information recorded in the European EPREL database.
A fault doesn’t automatically mean that replacement is the better option. ADEME recommends considering a repair before buying a new appliance, while also taking into account the energy use of an appliance you keep.
Get a diagnosis and a quote before comparing your options. According to ecosystem, the Repair Bonus applies to eligible appliances that are out of warranty; check the terms that apply to your appliance.
According to the European Commission, energy labels are compulsory for domestic ovens, but not for hobs. Their data therefore can’t be compared directly on this basis.
For an oven, check its capacity and kWh/cycle for the cooking mode you use. For a hob, compare the technology you’re considering with the way you actually cook.
These models are suitable if you’re looking to replace a dishwasher or a fridge or freezer. Before deciding to buy, check that their capacity meets your needs and compare their specifications with those of your current appliance.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a tabletop dishwasher and its capacity suits the amount of washing-up you usually have.
The product name lists 6 place settings, 7 programmes, 47 dB and energy rating D. Check the energy use on the model’s label before comparing it with your current cycles.
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Compare it with your current fridge or freezer if you need this much storage space.
The product name lists three doors, Total No Frost technology and energy rating E. Check the exact model’s kWh/year, the usable capacity you need and the installation dimensions.
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Only consider it if this capacity suits your storage needs and you have enough space for it.
The product name lists four doors, Total No Frost technology and energy rating E. Check the exact model’s energy use in kWh/year before comparing it with the capacity you need and your current appliance.
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Worth comparing if you only need a small amount of freezer space; check that 31 L is really enough to replace the capacity you use today.
The product name lists 147 kWh/year, energy rating E, a reversible door and adjustable feet. Consider the stated energy use in relation to the capacity and check the label for the exact model.
Compare your current appliance’s actual or estimated energy use with the prospective model’s kWh/year, making sure the usable capacity and features suit your needs. ADEME explains that actual energy use varies depending on factors such as size and usage, so the figure on the label alone can’t guarantee savings in your home.
No. Also check the kWh/100 cycles and litres/cycle for the reference programme. ADEME says the label also provides information about capacity, eco programme duration and noise, which you should consider alongside how often you use the dishwasher.
Not necessarily. First, get a diagnosis and a quote to see whether a repair would meet your needs. ADEME recommends considering this option before replacing an appliance; according to ecosystem, the Repair Bonus may apply to an eligible appliance that’s out of warranty.
No. According to the European Commission, energy labels are compulsory for domestic ovens, but not for hobs. For an oven, compare factors such as capacity and kWh/cycle for the cooking mode you use. For a hob, check the technology and whether it suits the way you cook.