Replacing a fridge to reduce energy use can make sense if the difference in annual kWh compared with your current appliance is significant for your needs. Compare models of a similar type and size, distinguishing between the space for fresh food and the freezer compartment. A better energy rating or a new appliance alone does not guarantee a sufficient reduction in your electricity costs.
If your fridge is still working, check its annual energy use in the documentation or measure it if possible. You can then compare this figure with the annual kWh of new models that offer similar storage space, and apply your electricity tariff to the difference.
A fridge freezer is worth considering if you genuinely use both compartments. Check the litres of fresh food and freezer space separately before comparing its energy use with your current appliance.
Start with your storage habits rather than the total capacity alone. As ADEME points out, size and excess capacity affect energy use: a large freezer compartment is only useful if you need it.
When deciding whether to replace your fridge, first compare what your old and new appliances can do, then look at their annual energy use. The energy label, as explained by ADEME, helps you compare models, but the rating letter is no substitute for checking annual kWh and the capacity of each compartment.
| Criteria | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Difference in energy use | The annual kWh of your old appliance and the model you are considering, comparing similar types and capacities; your actual electricity tariff per kWh to calculate the difference in running costs. | If my current fridge is still working, I want to know how replacing it would affect my bill. Around 36% of consumers would put this calculation first when making their decision. |
| Fresh and frozen food capacity | The capacity in litres of each compartment, not just the total, as well as the appliance type. | I regularly freeze food, but I don’t want to reduce the space available for fresh food unnecessarily. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise how the capacity is divided. |
| Features and maintenance | The defrosting system, alarms and food-preservation features of the specific model; check its annual kWh separately. | If defrosting or alerts matter in my day-to-day life, I look for features I’ll genuinely use. Around 21% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Installation and noise | The dimensions, available space and fixing system if it’s a built-in appliance, the door-opening direction and the noise level. | In a kitchen with existing cabinetry or one that opens onto the living area, the fridge needs to fit and its noise level needs to suit me. Around 14% of consumers would consider compatibility and noise decisive. |
Fridges with different capacities or designs won’t necessarily meet the same needs. The rating alone won’t tell you how much less energy a new model would use than your current appliance.
Compare appliances with similar storage capacity, then check their annual kWh and the litres in each compartment on the energy label or the specific model’s product information.
The total capacity can hide a large amount of space given over to frozen food, leaving less room for fresh food. A large fridge freezer and a single-door fridge don’t offer the same benefits.
Assess separately what you keep chilled and what you freeze, then check how many litres are allocated to each.
A defrosting system may suit your maintenance needs, but its presence doesn’t tell you the appliance’s annual energy use.
Choose the feature for its practical benefits and check the model’s annual kWh separately.
A built-in fridge must fit the cabinet and its fixing system. Noise levels can also influence your choice, particularly in an open-plan kitchen.
Before ordering, check the available space, the product dimensions, the fixing system, the door-opening direction, the installation instructions and the stated noise level.
If the appliance isn’t compatible with the cabinet, you may need to adapt it or arrange a new installation.
These ranges offer models and specifications to compare. Choose based on the features of the model you’re considering, not the brand alone.
The French range includes freestanding fridge freezers, with product information that lets you compare compartments and features.
The brand offers single-door fridges and fridge freezers, making it easier to work out how much freezer space you need first.
The French range includes freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, with features that vary by model.
The brand’s built-in fridge freezers are worth considering when the available space and the split between compartments are key to your choice.
These appliances with freezer compartments illustrate a range of capacities and formats to consider when replacing your fridge. Before choosing, check that their capacity and installation type suit your needs, then verify the energy figures on the exact model’s label.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in appliance with fridge and freezer compartments in one unit.
The product title lists No Frost, a C rating and an Inverter compressor. Check the available space and fixing system, then look up the capacity of each compartment and the annual kWh on the energy label for the exact model.
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This format is worth considering if you regularly use both the fridge and freezer compartments.
The product title mentions Total No Frost, an E rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check that the capacity of each compartment suits your needs, and look up the annual kWh on the energy label.
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Consider this capacity if your fresh and frozen food needs justify having plenty of space for both.
The product title lists Total No Frost, an E rating and Smart Inverter. Compare the capacity of each compartment with your usual needs before checking the annual kWh for the exact model.
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This larger format is worth considering if you need plenty of space for fresh and frozen food.
The product title lists an E rating. Before comparing it with your current appliance, check the capacity of each compartment, the annual kWh and the space required for installation.
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This format is worth considering if you mainly need fridge space, with a small integrated freezer compartment.
The product title lists an E rating and a top-mounted freezer. Check the capacity of each compartment, the defrosting requirements, the annual kWh and whether it fits your available space.
Compare annual kWh and the separate fridge and freezer capacities of appliances that meet the same needs. Then check the installation type, noise level and features. The European EPREL database lists these details for registered models.
No. The rating doesn’t show the difference compared with your current fridge. If you know or can measure its annual energy use, compare it with the annual kWh of a new appliance of a similar type and capacity. Then apply your actual tariff per kWh to the difference to estimate the electricity cost of running it.
The appliance type alone isn’t enough to tell. A fridge freezer has a separate freezer compartment. If you need one, compare the annual kWh of models with storage capacities suited to your needs, rather than comparing a large fridge freezer with a smaller single-door appliance.
Check the dimensions of the available space and the new appliance, the fixing system, the door-opening direction and the installation instructions. Also check the capacity of each compartment and the noise level: the model must fit your cabinet and meet your storage needs.