Start by looking at refrigeration appliances that run continuously, then compare a frequently used dishwasher and your cooking appliances based on the actual number of cycles. Don’t choose based on the energy rating alone: compare the stated kWh with the volume, capacity and features that are useful for your household, and have a repairable fault checked before buying new.
To identify a potentially high-priority appliance without applying a national average to your own bill, compare annual consumption, usable volumes and the features of the model you are considering. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
The number of cycles, Eco programme, capacity and cooking method can help you decide whether replacing one of these appliances is worth comparing with a refrigeration appliance. The rating letter alone is not enough.
Before buying new, consider the diagnosis, repair quotation, availability of spare parts, warranty and, where the conditions are met, the repair bonus available in France.
Start with how you actually use the appliance, then compare models with a similar capacity using the figures on the label and the installation requirements.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous or frequent use | For refrigeration appliances, compare kWh/year and usable volumes. For dishwashers, check the Eco programme’s kWh/100 cycles. For ovens, compare kWh/cycle with the volume and cooking method. | I’ll start with the appliance that runs continuously or is used very often, rather than the one whose rating appears least favourable. In the 2025 Energy Information Barometer from the Médiateur national de l’énergie, 85% of the 2,000 households surveyed in mainland France said energy bills represented a significant part of their budget. |
| Like-for-like comparison | Compare similar volumes and capacities. Check the reference programme, Eco duration, water per cycle and the features that genuinely affect how the appliance is used. | I want an appliance suited to my storage needs, washing cycles or cooking frequency, without choosing a larger format than necessary. |
| Repair or replacement | Identify the exact reference, the required part and the warranty terms. Request a quotation and check repairability as well as spare-part availability. | I want to understand whether repairing the appliance is worthwhile before replacing it. In the ADEME/Gifam Insights study carried out in 2024 among 10,020 people in France, price was one of the repair-selection criteria for 80% of respondents. |
The rating alone cannot be used to compare appliances of different sizes and with different usage patterns. For refrigeration appliances, volume and kWh/year matter; for a dishwasher, also consider kWh/100 cycles, water per cycle, capacity and Eco duration.
Note down the information on your current appliance’s label and compare it with a model of genuinely equivalent capacity.
According to ADEME, size and certain features, such as permanent ice production, can increase consumption. A poorly judged storage requirement can reduce the benefit of replacing the appliance.
Establish the refrigerated and frozen volumes you genuinely need, then compare kWh/year between models with a similar volume.
Whether a repair is viable depends in particular on the price, the expected quality and the availability of spare parts. These factors should be checked for the appliance’s exact reference.
Identify the model, request a quotation from an approved repairer and check the warranty, maintenance requirements, required part and the existing appliance’s consumption.
In France, the repair bonus is deducted directly from the bill when the eligibility conditions are met with an approved repairer.
European rules provide for an energy label for ovens and cooker hoods, while hobs do not have an equivalent label. Comparing them therefore requires you to check the hob type and the model’s specifications.
When switching to induction, check electrical compatibility and the built-in dimensions in the model documentation; use a qualified installer if necessary.
Worth considering when the stated availability of spare parts for large domestic appliances is an important factor in deciding whether to keep or replace an appliance.
A useful benchmark when comparing dishwashers where the stated repairability is part of the buying criteria, alongside the Eco programme’s consumption.
Worth looking into when an original part or documentation needs to be found before replacing a fridge, dishwasher or cooking appliance.
These Joybuy options are intended for replacing refrigeration appliances or dishwashers, as part of a comparison based on your household’s volume, capacity and actual usage.
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Worth considering if your actual freezing needs correspond to 161 L.
Net capacity of 161 L, No Frost protection, three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm and reversible door. Check the energy label, annual consumption, dimensions and installation clearances before comparing.
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This model is worth comparing for a household with a substantial, measurable storage requirement.
467 L in total, including 311 L of refrigeration and 156 L of freezing space; stated consumption of 290 kWh/year, Total No Frost, class E and dimensions of 83.3 × 65 × 181.5 cm. Check that this capacity suits your household and find out about repairability and spare parts before buying.
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Worth comparing if you run frequent cycles and your kitchen has a compatible built-in space.
Capacity of 13 place settings, class B, three-level adjustable basket, folding tines and Extra Silence programme. Stated niche dimensions: 815–895 × 595 × 555 mm; also check kWh/100 cycles, water per cycle, Eco duration, door front and connections.
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This large capacity should only be considered if it matches your household’s actual storage needs.
Total capacity of 444 L, stated consumption of 289 kWh/year, class E, Total No Frost, LED lighting and rapid cooling. The model is stated to be suitable for an SN-T climate range of 10 to 43 °C; check the separate volumes, dimensions and repairability information.
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A format worth considering for a small household, studio flat or space where there is little washing-up.
Stated capacity of three place settings, dimensions of 49 × 34 × 49 cm, freestanding installation and stated water consumption of 2.9 L per cycle. Connection to a cold-water tap and drainage into a sink or waste outlet are required; also check the label and cycle duration.
The rating is useful, but it should be considered alongside kWh/year, refrigerated and frozen volumes, and noise level. Compare appliances with a similar usable volume: a larger model or one with additional features may use more energy even if it is newer.
No. The label shows consumption for 100 cycles of the reference programme, generally the Eco programme. Read it alongside capacity, water per cycle and Eco duration, as intensive and rapid programmes, or cycles run at half load, may result in different usage.
Yes, subject to certain conditions. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the discount is deducted from the bill when the repair is carried out by an approved repairer, for a product outside its warranty period and without poor maintenance or improper use. The list mentioned includes fridges, freezers, dishwashers, cookers, cooker hoods and built-in ovens, but not microwaves.
For dishwashers, fridges, ovens and cooker hoods, the energy label is available online and in shops. Compare the measurements relevant to the appliance, such as kWh/year for refrigeration, kWh/100 cycles for dishwashers or kWh/cycle for ovens; the QR code may link to the European EPREL database for technical information about the model.