If you can only replace one appliance, start by looking at the one you use frequently or leave running continuously, and whose energy consumption could fall with a model better suited to your needs. An old, oversized fridge or freezer is worth considering before an infrequently used cooking appliance, although frequent washing cycles could change your priorities. If the expected difference is small, changing how you use an appliance may be more sensible than replacing one that still works.
Your fridge, fridge-freezer or freezer runs continuously, but its capacity or some of its features may exceed your needs. ADEME points out that a larger size and unnecessary features can increase energy consumption. Before considering a replacement, compare your appliance with one offering a capacity that’s genuinely useful to you.
You use your washing machine frequently, sometimes followed by a drying cycle, or repeat washes because its current capacity isn’t well suited to your loads. The energy label lets you compare models, as long as you also consider how often you wash and how full the drum usually is.
You use your hob or oven frequently and are weighing up whether to change your habits or replace your appliance. ADEME’s published reference figures can help you compare options, but your priority will depend on how often you actually cook.
First, compare how often you use each appliance, then look at its energy consumption and whether a replacement would suit your needs. ADEME’s reference figures can help you identify areas to explore, but they won’t tell you on their own how much your household could save.
| Consideration | What to check | What consumers are looking at |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling appliances running continuously | Compare the annual kWh consumption of models of the same type, then choose a capacity and features that suit your needs. | If my fridge runs all the time and seems too large, I want to know whether it’s worth buying a better-sized model. Around 31% of consumers would make this cooling-related need a priority. |
| Washing cycles | For a washing machine, check the kWh per 100 cycles on the energy label and choose a capacity that suits your usual loads. | When one wash follows another, I want to avoid repeat cycles without choosing a drum that’s rarely full. This would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Frequent electric cooking | Compare how much you actually use your hob or oven with the reference consumption figures. For induction, also check your cookware and electrical installation. | I often cook with electricity and want to find out whether replacing my appliance would make a noticeable difference to my energy use. Around 19% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| How you use an appliance before buying | Note how long you use your appliances for and which features are genuinely useful before deciding whether a replacement is worthwhile. | If my appliances still work or are used infrequently, I’d rather look at what I can change about my habits before buying. Around 25% of consumers would put avoiding an unnecessary purchase first. |
Power doesn’t tell you how much an appliance uses over a year. Cooling appliances run continuously, while energy use for washing and cooking depends on the number of cycles.
Compare the annual kWh or kWh per 100 cycles shown for the relevant category, then consider how often you use the appliance.
According to ADEME, an appliance’s capacity and some of its features can increase energy consumption. A washing machine with a capacity greater than your usual loads won’t necessarily use less energy either.
Work out what capacity and features you need before comparing the energy labels of suitable models.
The consumption figures published by ADEME are based on typical appliances and usage. They may not reflect your current appliance or how often you use it.
To assess whether a replacement is worthwhile, compare the figures for the model you’re considering with the specifications of your current appliance and how you actually use it.
Energy consumption matters, but capacity, water use and expected lifespan can also affect whether a replacement is worthwhile. For applicable washing machines in France, the durability index provides information on reliability and repairability, according to the French ministries responsible for ecology and energy.
Compare these criteria across models in the same category, and check the repair options before replacing an appliance that still works.
No. They’re based on reference appliances and usage patterns. The difference for your household will depend on factors such as the model you replace, its capacity, the number of cycles and how it’s used. Use these figures to decide what to look into, then compare the appliances in question.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level across washing machines in the same category. ADEME points out that you should consider these reference figures alongside your usual loads and how often you wash.
Yes. For the models concerned, it adds another useful point of comparison alongside energy use. In France, according to the ministries responsible for ecology and energy, the durability index has been gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines since 8 April 2025. It provides information on reliability and repairability, among other things.
No. According to the European Commission, EU energy-labelling rules don’t apply to second-hand products. Before assuming an appliance will use less energy than yours, ask for its full model reference and, if possible, its documentation.
Yes. This is particularly relevant for appliances used in cycles: ADEME’s Wattris tool lets you adjust the appliances in a typical day, along with when and for how long you use them. However, changing your habits won’t eliminate the continuous energy use needed to run a fridge or freezer.