Start by looking at your current appliance and comparing it with a replacement that would do the same job, rather than relying on the energy efficiency rating alone. Fridges and freezers deserve particular attention because they run continuously; for a dishwasher or oven, how often you use it matters too. A larger capacity or features you don’t need can make replacing an appliance less worthwhile, as ADEME points out.
If your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously, compare its capacity with what you actually need to store before choosing a replacement. ADEME points out that these appliances are always switched on.
If you run cycles regularly, consider electricity use, water consumption, capacity and the Eco programme duration together. ADEME and the European Commission identify these as useful points of comparison between dishwashers.
If you use your oven frequently, its capacity and energy use per cycle for your chosen cooking mode are more useful when making a decision than comparing it with a different type of cooking appliance.
Start with the use you want to maintain: storage space, dishwasher loads or cooking capacity. Then compare the stated energy use of appliances in the same category and with a similar capacity, and consider how often you use them.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Always-on refrigeration | Compare the kWh/year and fridge and freezer capacities of appliances that do a similar job. | If my fridge or freezer runs day and night, I want to know what replacing it would change without losing the storage space I need. Around 36% of consumers could make this continuous energy use their priority. |
| Capacity and features | Work out how much capacity you actually use and which features are essential before comparing kWh/year. | My freezer is often only partly full, so I’m looking for a more suitable capacity while keeping the space I need. For around 29% of consumers, avoiding an oversized appliance could be the priority. |
| Regular washing | Check the kWh per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle, place settings and Eco programme duration. | When I use the dishwasher often, I want a capacity that suits my loads and a programme that fits my daily routine. Around 21% of consumers could prioritise regular washing. |
| Frequent cooking | For two ovens of a similar capacity, compare the kWh/cycle for the cooking mode you use. | I cook in the oven often, but don’t want to choose a large oven cavity if I usually make smaller dishes. Cooking could be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Two appliances with different capacities or features won’t necessarily do the same job. ADEME notes in particular that an oversized appliance or one with continuous ice production can use more energy.
First decide how much capacity you need, then compare the kWh/year of models with a similar capacity.
ADEME’s figures are based on particular usage patterns; your cycles and the way you use the appliance may be different.
Before deciding, compare the replacement’s specifications with those of your current appliance and consider how often you use it.
On a dishwasher’s energy label, the energy and water figures relate to the Eco programme. The European Commission also includes its duration among the information shown.
Check the kWh per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle and programme duration together to see whether it suits your routine.
Energy use per cycle and capacity can help you compare ovens, but they don’t provide a like-for-like way to rank a hob.
For a hob, look at the model’s features that relate to the way you cook, rather than applying oven figures to it.
Bosch offers refrigeration, laundry and cooking appliances, as well as spare parts for some of these categories.
Miele has a range that includes dishwashers and refrigeration appliances.
Whirlpool’s range includes fridges, dishwashers and cooking appliances.
These fridge-freezers and this table-top dishwasher suit two of the uses explored here: keeping food chilled around the clock and running regular wash cycles. Start by choosing a suitable capacity, then compare the exact model’s energy label with your current appliance.
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Worth considering if your household genuinely needs this much storage and you want to keep a fridge-freezer. The model name lists an E energy rating, Total No Frost and Wi-Fi connectivity. Check whether these features are useful to you, then compare the annual energy use on its label.
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Consider this model if you genuinely need 467 L of storage, and check that it will fit in the space available. The model name lists an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Compare its usable capacity and kWh/year on the energy label with those of a fridge-freezer that does a similar job.
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Before replacing your appliance, compare this capacity with your storage needs. The model name lists an E energy rating, frost-free design and 40 dB. Check the energy label for the separate fridge and freezer capacities and annual energy use, and make sure the dimensions suit your kitchen.
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Worth considering if your usual loads fit into 6 place settings and a table-top design suits your space. The model name lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating. Check the kWh per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle and Eco programme duration before comparing it with another dishwasher.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth considering for a kitchen with limited space, as long as its capacity is enough for you. The model name gives separate capacities of 153 L for refrigeration and 74 L for freezing, as well as Low Frost and an E energy rating. Check the kWh/year on the energy label before assessing its energy use.
No, not on its own. Compare what your current appliance does with what a potential replacement would offer, including their capacities and how you use them. ADEME points out that an appliance that’s too large or has certain features may make replacing it with a newer model less worthwhile.
First work out how much fridge and freezer capacity you need. Then compare the kWh/year of models that offer a similar amount of storage. According to the European Commission, the energy label for refrigeration appliances also shows their capacity and noise level.
Compare the kWh per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle and place settings, then check how long the programme takes. ADEME and the European Commission present these figures as useful points of comparison. The number of cycles you actually run and how full the dishwasher is also matter when choosing a model.
Not using the same measures. For two ovens of a similar capacity, look at the kWh per cycle for the cooking mode you use. For a hob, check the model’s features against the way you cook rather than using oven figures.
It takes you to EPREL, the European database where you can look up key details for registered models. The European Commission says you can use the database to compare this information. However, start by considering the capacity and type of appliance your household needs.