Households moving with their appliances
You already own a fridge, washing machine, dishwasher or cooking appliance. Before moving it, check the route to the room, the space available and the installation requirements in its instructions.
Who is this guide for?
Start by taking stock of the appliances you already own and whether they can be installed in your new home.
Households with an appliance that no longer fits
An appliance may still work but no longer suit the new space, connections or household needs. Measure up and check the installation requirements before comparing replacement models.
Households considering a repair
If a faulty appliance is still suitable for your home, a diagnosis and quote can help you decide whether to repair or replace it. In France, the repair bonus applies to eligible work carried out by a certified repairer, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition.
What should you check before deciding?
First, sort your appliances into those to keep, have assessed or replace. Only choose a new model once you’ve checked that it can be brought to its intended spot and installed there.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Keep an appliance | Check its condition and dimensions, the access routes and the transport and installation requirements in its instructions. | My appliance still meets my needs; I want to know whether it can be moved to its new spot and work properly there. |
| Have it repaired | If the appliance is still suitable for your home, ask for a diagnosis and quote. For the repair bonus in France, check with a certified repairer whether the product and fault are eligible, in line with the guidance from the ministry responsible for ecological transition. | I’m still happy with the appliance, but a fault means I need to compare the cost of repair with replacement. |
| Install a new large appliance | Measure the space and the entire delivery route, then compare these measurements with the appliance dimensions and clearance requirements in its instructions. Check the connections and what installation services are included: Electrolux France states in its pre-installation guide that its installers do not carry out plumbing, electrical or carpentry work. | I’m replacing an unsuitable appliance and want to make sure the new model won’t get stuck on the way in or be impossible to connect. |
| Capacity and use | Choose a capacity that matches the amount your household actually needs to wash, clean or store. When comparing appliances in the same category, check energy use and, where shown on the energy label, water consumption, eco-cycle duration and noise levels; the ADEME highlights these points too. | A larger capacity is only useful if it suits the amount of laundry, washing-up or storage space my household needs. |
| Maintenance and small appliances | Before adding a small appliance, check which needs still have to be met. When replacing one, look for repair information relevant to its category. According to the ministry responsible for ecological transition, France’s durability index applies to washing machines in particular, not to every household appliance. | I’d rather equip my new home for specific needs than buy again something my existing appliances already do. |
| Getting rid of the old appliance | If you’re replacing an appliance, agree collection arrangements with the seller when you place your order. Check how to prepare the old appliance and when it needs to be accessible. | I want the old appliance taken away without making it harder to install the new one. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Measuring the space but not the route to it
An appliance might fit in its intended space but still be too large to get through a doorway, around a corner or up the stairs. Electrolux France’s pre-installation guide also notes that its installers do not carry out plumbing, electrical or carpentry alterations.
Measure the access routes and the space, check the model’s instructions, and tell the seller or delivery company about any difficult access before delivery.
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Choosing the largest capacity just to be safe
Capacity should match the amount you need to wash. The ADEME says a 7 kg washing machine is usually sufficient and advises against repeatedly running the machine with an unfilled drum. This is a general guide, not a substitute for assessing your household’s needs.
Estimate your usual loads, then compare capacities and energy label information across models in the same category.
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Looking for a durability index on every appliance
In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition says the durability index gradually replaced the repairability index for televisions and washing machines in 2025. It is not a rating shared by every household appliance category.
Find out which index applies to the category of the model you’re considering, and also check its instructions and any available maintenance information.
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Replacing an appliance without planning for its removal
An old large appliance can take up the space needed to install its replacement, and may need to be prepared before it can be collected.
Ask about collection arrangements when you place your order, and follow the seller’s or delivery company’s instructions for preparing the old appliance.
A guide to brands
When comparing brands, check the installation instructions, dimensions and connection requirements for the exact model you’re considering. Look for clear maintenance and repair information, and ask about installation and old-appliance collection services before you buy. A brand name alone won’t tell you whether an appliance will fit your new home or suit your household’s needs.
Appliances for a targeted replacement
These Joybuy options are for replacing a dishwasher or fridge after a move. Before choosing one, check whether your current appliance can be kept or repaired, and compare each model with the measurements of your new home.
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Whirlpool W2I HD526 A, 60 cm integrated dishwasher
Worth considering as a replacement integrated dishwasher if a 14-place-setting capacity suits your needs. The model is listed as energy class E. Check the installation dimensions, clearances and connections required for your space in its instructions.
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Samsung DW80H72YBB0U1, 60 cm integrated dishwasher
An option if you’re looking for a 13-place-setting integrated dishwasher listed as energy class B. A 60 cm width alone doesn’t guarantee it will fit: compare the instructions with your cabinet space, access routes and connections.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge freezer
Consider this model if your household needs a fridge freezer: its stated capacity is split between 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer. It is listed as 54 cm wide, with a reversible door and energy class E. Check the height, depth, clearances and access routes too.
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Samsung DW70H72WCB0U1, 60 cm integrated dishwasher
This 13-place-setting model, listed as energy class C, may suit your search for a replacement integrated dishwasher. Before ordering, compare its full dimensions with your cabinet space and check the instructions for this version to confirm the hinge type required for your cabinet door.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L fridge
Compare its stated 92 L capacity and compact freezer compartment with your household’s storage needs. This model is listed as energy class E. Measure the space and check the full dimensions and clearance requirements in its instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before keeping or ordering a large appliance?
Measure the space available and the entire route to it, including doors, corridors, corners, stairs and lifts. Then compare these measurements with the appliance dimensions and requirements in its instructions, and check the connections. Electrolux France’s pre-installation guide notes that its installers do not carry out plumbing, electrical or carpentry work.
When should I consider a repair rather than a replacement?
Consider a repair if the appliance is still suitable for your new home and a diagnosis can identify the fault. In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition says the repair bonus may be deducted from the bill for eligible work carried out by a certified repairer. Check the terms that apply and ask for a quote before deciding.
Does the durability index apply to all household appliances?
No. According to the ministry responsible for ecological transition, it gradually replaced the repairability index for televisions and washing machines in France in 2025. For other appliances, check which index applies to that category. The absence of an index alone does not tell you how long an appliance will last.
How should I plan to get rid of my old appliance?
Ask the seller about collection arrangements when you order your new appliance, and let them know where the old one is. Check how it needs to be prepared and when it will be collected, so it doesn’t get in the way of installation.
How do I compare the energy use of two appliances?
Compare the energy label information for appliances in the same category rather than looking only at the energy class. The ADEME recommends checking energy consumption and, depending on the appliance, water use, eco-cycle duration and noise levels. Make sure the figures you compare are based on the same information shown on the label.