Households with an older fridge or freezer
Your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously. You want to know whether its annual energy consumption, capacity and condition make it worth replacing.
Who is this guide for?
People who regularly use a tumble dryer or dishwasher
You often use a tumble dryer or dishwasher. Energy use per cycle matters, but capacity, programme duration and noise levels also influence your choice.
Anyone weighing up repair versus replacement
Your appliance is getting older or has developed a fault, but its features may still suit your needs. Before choosing a new appliance, you want to look into repair options and the relevant durability information.
What should you prioritise?
ADEME distinguishes between the annual energy consumption of refrigeration appliances and the energy used per cycle by other appliances. Start by comparing appliances with the same function and a similar capacity, then check the energy label figures against how often you use them.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Always-on cooling | For a fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer, compare kWh/year for appliances with a similar function and usable capacity. Also check that the appliance will fit the space. | If my appliance runs all the time, I want to know whether its capacity still suits my needs before replacing it. Around 36% of consumers would make this their main priority. |
| Frequent drying | Check the tumble dryer’s energy label, its capacity in kg and the duration of the relevant programme. | When I dry clothes regularly, the capacity needs to suit my loads without making me use an overly long programme. This would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Dishwasher cycles | Compare kWh per 100 standard cycles and litres per cycle across appliances with similar capacities. Check the Eco programme duration and noise levels, too. | I use my dishwasher often and want a capacity that suits the amount of washing-up I usually have, without overlooking water use or noise. Around 21% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Repair or keep | Get the fault diagnosed, check the repair options and look at the durability index where it applies to the product category. | If my appliance still meets my needs, I’d rather look into a repair before deciding whether to replace it. This would be the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based only on the energy label rating
The rating alone doesn’t tell you what capacity you need. The European Commission notes, for example, that a dishwasher’s energy label also shows consumption per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise levels.
Compare the figures for appliances in the same category and with similar capacities, then check that the programmes listed suit the way you use them.
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Choosing a larger capacity when you don’t need the extra storage
For refrigeration appliances, ADEME recommends taking the appliance’s size into account: extra capacity or unused features can affect its energy consumption.
Work out how much storage you really need and measure the available space before comparing the kWh/year figures for similarly sized models.
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Automatically replacing an appliance when it breaks down
A single fault doesn’t necessarily mean that the appliance can no longer meet your needs. The French Ministry of the Economy says the Repair Bonus may cover certain repairs to out-of-warranty products carried out by an approved repairer, subject to eligibility criteria.
Check the warranty and ask for a diagnosis. Then decide whether a repair will solve the problem or whether the appliance’s capacity, noise or energy consumption is still unsuitable.
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Overlooking installation and collection of your old appliance
An integrated model needs to fit your existing kitchen. Miele says that some of its integrated refrigeration appliances require a door panel, which isn’t supplied. The DGCCRF also sets out the rules for having an equivalent used appliance taken away when you buy a new one.
Confirm the dimensions, any parts needed for installation and the collection arrangements before making your choice.
Brands to consider
These brands offer product categories that may suit your needs. Compare the features and installation requirements of each model rather than drawing conclusions based on the brand alone.
Bosch
Bosch offers laundry appliances in France, including heat-pump tumble dryers and washing machines in a range of capacities.
- The available categories make it easier to find a capacity that suits how often your household does laundry or uses a tumble dryer.
- Bosch’s stated energy ratings and warranty terms vary by model. Check the energy label and terms for the model you’re considering.
Beko
Beko offers fridges, freezers, fridge-freezers, dishwashers and laundry appliances in France.
- These categories give you a range of formats to explore across the types of appliance covered in this guide.
- Compare energy consumption, capacity and repair information for each model individually.
Miele
Miele offers freestanding and integrated refrigeration appliances, including fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers.
- The choice between freestanding and integrated models helps you narrow things down based on where the appliance will go.
- Miele says some integrated models require a door panel, which isn’t supplied. Check what’s needed for the model you’ve chosen.
Appliances available on Joybuy
These appliances suit several of the situations mentioned above: replacing a fridge-freezer, choosing a small standalone freezer, or upgrading your dishwasher or tumble dryer. Before deciding, compare their capacity and installation requirements with those of your current appliance.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge-freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you need plenty of fridge and freezer space in a single appliance.
Advertised capacity of 467 L, energy rating E and Total No Frost system. Check that the capacity and four-door design suit your space and usual storage needs.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge-freezer, 360 L
Worth a look as a replacement fridge-freezer if 360 L is enough for your storage needs.
Energy rating E and Total No Frost system. Check the dimensions and compare its annual energy consumption with fridge-freezers of a similar capacity.
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AEG FSB34707Z, fully integrated dishwasher, 14 place settings
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fully integrated dishwasher with 14 place settings and your kitchen can accommodate it.
Energy rating C. Ask for the exact dimensions to be confirmed before buying: the stated width measurements for this model don’t match.
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COMFEE' RCU40WH2(E), mini freezer, 31 L
Worth considering if a small amount of extra freezer space suits your needs. Its 31 L capacity may not be enough to replace a larger freezer.
Advertised energy consumption of 147 kWh/year, energy rating E and reversible door. Compare this figure with freezers of a similar capacity and format.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, heat-pump tumble dryer, 8 kg
Worth a look if you regularly dry loads suited to an 8 kg capacity.
Energy rating C. Check the energy label to compare its consumption and programme duration with other tumble dryers that suit the way you use yours.
Frequently asked questions
How can I compare energy labels for appliances of different sizes?
Start by comparing appliances with the same function and a similar capacity, rather than looking only at their energy ratings. For refrigeration appliances, compare kWh/year and usable capacity. For a dishwasher, check kWh per 100 standard cycles, water use per cycle and the number of place settings. ADEME and the European Commission present these figures as indicators linked to an appliance’s features and programmes, not as a guarantee of the same savings for every household.
Can the Eco programme help me compare two dishwashers?
Yes. According to the European Commission, dishwasher energy label figures are based on the standard Eco programme. Compare its duration and the appliance’s capacity, too: these figures don’t necessarily reflect its other programmes or how often you’ll actually use it.
Should I consider repairing an appliance before replacing it?
It’s worth looking into a repair if the fault seems isolated and the appliance still meets your needs. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says the Repair Bonus may apply to certain out-of-warranty products repaired by an approved professional, subject to eligibility criteria. A diagnosis can help you tell the difference between a fault and an ongoing issue with the appliance’s capacity or suitability.
Will a small freezer always use less energy than a large one?
Size alone doesn’t tell you whether its energy consumption will suit your needs. Check the kWh/year on the energy label and make sure the usable capacity is enough for your usual storage. Then compare freezers of a similar type and capacity, as recommended by ADEME’s guidance on choosing the right size.
Do all these appliances have a durability index?
No. In France, the index doesn’t apply across all these product categories. ADEME says it has applied to washing machines since April 2025, among other categories. For the appliance you’re considering, check which repairability or durability information applies to its category, along with the available maintenance and repair options.