Start by getting your old fridge diagnosed. Repairing it may still be an option if it meets your needs and the fault can be fixed. If you’re considering a new or refurbished appliance, compare its capacity, features and documented annual energy consumption with those of a similar appliance. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, but age alone isn’t enough to establish the savings you could make by replacing yours. For a refurbished appliance, also check the information for the specific item being sold and the guarantees that apply.
Your fridge still has enough storage space for your needs, but its performance means it should be checked. ADEME recommends considering repair before replacement. If the appliance is no longer under warranty, also check whether you’re eligible for the Repair Bonus by using a QualiRépar-certified repairer.
You’re thinking of replacing your fridge to reduce the electricity it uses. Compare annual consumption in kWh for appliances of the same type, with similar capacities and features. ADEME’s published averages alone can’t predict the savings you’ll make with your old appliance.
You’re considering a refurbished appliance, provided the professional seller describes the specific item for sale, its features and energy consumption, as well as the guarantees that apply. The DGCCRF specifies that a product sold as refurbished must have undergone full functionality tests.
Repairing, buying new and choosing refurbished each suit different situations. In all three cases, start by working out how much fridge and freezer space your household needs.
Consider this when : the appliance still meets your household’s needs and a professional can diagnose the fault.
Limitation : a repair extends its useful life, but doesn’t prove it will use as little energy as a recent model.
Consider this when : a repair won’t meet your needs, or your storage requirements have changed.
Limitation : an energy rating or the model’s age alone can’t establish how much energy it will use in your home.
Consider this when : a professional seller gives a detailed description of the appliance being resold and provides documented energy consumption.
Limitation : check the condition and features of the specific appliance rather than relying on the specifications for a new model.
| Consideration | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Whether it can be repaired | Get the fault diagnosed and check the current warranty, as well as the terms of the Repair Bonus. | If my fridge still meets my needs, I want to know whether I can keep using it after a fault; around 27 % of consumers put this first. |
| Electricity consumption | Compare documented kWh/year figures for appliances of the same type, with similar capacities and features; get a reliable measurement or figure for your old appliance before estimating the difference. | If the electricity it uses is influencing my decision, I need a comparison that takes my old appliance into account; this is the top concern for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Traceability of refurbished appliances | Check the condition and features of the specific appliance, its documented energy consumption, the seller’s identity and the guarantees that apply. | If I choose a refurbished appliance, I want to know which specific appliance will be delivered to me, not just its original model; around 20 % of consumers prioritise this traceability. |
| Capacity and features | Work out your fridge and freezer needs separately, then consider which features you’ll actually use. | If my storage habits have changed, I’d rather work out the capacity I need before choosing an option; this is the main consideration for around 20 % of consumers. |
Age doesn’t tell you whether the fault can be repaired or whether the appliance still meets your household’s needs. ADEME recommends considering repair before replacement.
Ask for a diagnosis, then check whether the fault and repair work qualify for the Repair Bonus offered by ecosystem.
The type of appliance, its capacity and its features also matter. The letter alone can’t predict the difference compared with your old fridge.
Check the kWh/year figures and compare appliances with similar uses. To calculate the difference for your own situation, start with a measured or documented energy consumption figure for your old appliance.
General information about a model won’t necessarily describe the condition of the specific appliance being resold. The DGCCRF distinguishes refurbished products from ordinary second-hand goods by requiring functionality tests.
Ask the professional seller about the specific appliance’s features, documented energy consumption, condition and warranty terms.
Collection and removal of your old appliance need to fit in with the delivery arrangements and access to your home.
Before placing your order, confirm the collection point, time slot and any preparation needed for your old fridge.
Worth exploring if you’d like to gather a model’s documentation before making a decision.
Worth exploring if you want to filter certain freestanding fridges by capacity, energy rating and noise level.
Worth exploring if you’re choosing between different capacities and features.
Yes, if the appliance is no longer covered by a warranty, the fault is eligible and the repair is carried out by a QualiRépar-certified professional. Check these conditions before having the appliance repaired; ecosystem publishes the scheme’s terms.
Compare a measured or documented energy consumption figure for your old appliance with the kWh/year figure for a new model of a similar type, capacity and specification. ADEME provides indicative averages, but these aren’t a substitute for data about your own appliance.
Yes. The legal guarantee of conformity applies when you buy refurbished goods from a professional seller. According to the DGCCRF, consumers have two years from delivery to take action; for second-hand goods, the presumption that a fault existed at the time of delivery lasts for one year. Any commercial guarantee offered by the seller is separate.
Confirm the collection arrangements before ordering your new appliance. The Ministry for Ecological Transition describes the “one-for-one” take-back of a used appliance of the same type. Check the collection point, delivery time slot and any access restrictions at your home with the seller.