Households with an older refrigeration appliance
Your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously, and you want to decide whether replacing it should take priority over replacing another appliance.
Who are these criteria useful for?
Households that run frequent wash cycles
You use your washing machine or dishwasher often and want a suitable capacity, without overlooking programme duration, water use or noise.
Households unsure whether to replace an existing appliance
Your appliance may still meet your needs. You’d like to consider keeping it or getting it assessed before choosing a replacement.
Which criteria should you look at first?
Start with how you actually use each appliance, then compare models with the same function and a similar size. For the relevant categories in France, the DGCCRF says that new appliances must carry an energy label, including when sold online.
| What matters | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous refrigeration | Compare fridges or freezers of the same type and with a suitable capacity, then check the energy use shown on the label. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously. | If my refrigeration appliance runs day and night, I want to know whether replacing it should be a priority without choosing one that’s too large; around 36% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Frequent wash cycles | For washing machines and dishwashers, compare capacity and energy use per 100 cycles. For dishwashers, the European Commission also provides details of water use per cycle, eco programme duration and noise levels. | When laundry or washing-up piles up, I’m looking for an appliance that suits my usual loads; this would be the main need for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size and how often you use it | Check the dimensions and capacity of the exact model. If you’re looking at a washing machine covered by the scheme, also check the durability index shown by ADEME. | I don’t want to replace an appliance with one that’s too big or unsuitable for my space, even if its energy class appeals to me; around 21% of consumers would put this fit first. |
| Replace or keep | For an oven or cooker hood, consider how often you use it and compare appliances of the same type. If your current appliance still meets your needs, consider getting it assessed before replacing it. | If I rarely use my cooking appliance, I want to work out whether keeping it makes more sense for me than buying a replacement straight away; this would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Relying on the energy class letter alone
The label doesn’t show the same measurements for every category. The European Commission, for example, lists energy use per 100 cycles for washing machines and dishwashers.
Compare appliances with the same function and a similar capacity, and check that the figures are expressed in the same units.
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Replacing an appliance you rarely use first
How often you use an appliance affects what to prioritise. ADEME distinguishes refrigeration appliances, which run continuously, from ovens, whose energy use depends on how often they’re used.
Before deciding what to replace, make a note of which appliances run constantly and how often you use the others.
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Choosing a capacity larger than you need
A good energy class doesn’t make a fridge, washing machine or dishwasher a better fit for your household if its size isn’t right for you.
Work out the volume or capacity you need, then compare models of that size.
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Expecting a used appliance to have an energy label
According to the DGCCRF, the energy labelling requirement for the relevant categories doesn’t apply to second-hand products.
When buying a used appliance, ask for its exact model number and technical details rather than assuming it has the same energy class as a supposedly equivalent new model.
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Frequently asked questions
Which appliance should I check first to reduce my electricity use?
Start with refrigeration appliances that run continuously, then look at the ones you use often. ADEME’s published averages can help you decide what to check, but they can’t predict your household’s energy use or the impact of replacing an appliance.
Does a new appliance sold online in France have to display an energy label?
Yes, if it belongs to a category covered by the rules. The DGCCRF says that energy labelling applies to online and in-store sales, including fridges, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, ovens and cooker hoods.
Is the energy class enough to compare two washing machines?
No. Also compare capacities that suit your loads and the figures shown on the label. The European Commission lists energy use per 100 cycles, for example. This measurement is based on a reference programme, which may not reflect all the ways you use your machine.
Does a second-hand appliance need to have an energy label?
No. According to the DGCCRF, the energy labelling requirement doesn’t apply to second-hand products. Check the model number and condition of the appliance. If it’s refurbished, ask what tests have been carried out and what warranty is included.
What should I do with my old appliance if I replace it?
Ask the retailer about take-back arrangements before delivery or collection. According to the DGCCRF, when you buy a new product, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme provides for the free collection of an equivalent used product.