Replacing a fridge may make sense if its energy use and condition, weighed against the cost of a new appliance and any potential repair, make it the right choice for your household. Its age alone is no proof that replacing it will lower your bill. Compare kWh/year and the usable capacity you actually need, and only choose a fridge-freezer if you need a freezer compartment. Also consider the repair options available.
You want to reduce your electricity use without buying a new appliance if your current one still meets your needs or can be repaired. ADEME points out that average consumption figures cannot predict the savings for an individual household.
You want enough fridge space for your shopping and don't want to give up room for a freezer you won't use. Que Choisir offers indicative capacity guidelines, which you can adjust to suit your habits and available space.
You need to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance and want to compare the capacity of each compartment as well as annual energy use.
Consider this: if your appliance still meets your needs or looks repairable, compare its condition and energy use, and the cost of a repair quote, with the full cost of replacing it.
Bear in mind: keeping it avoids an immediate purchase, but doesn't guarantee low energy use.
Choose this if: you don't need to store frozen food in this appliance and want the right amount of fridge space for your household.
What to consider: this configuration doesn't include a freezer compartment.
Choose this if: you regularly store frozen food and need both functions in one appliance.
Compare: fridge and freezer capacities, dimensions and kWh/year. The extra compartment may affect total energy use.
| Concern | What to check | Who it's most important to |
|---|---|---|
| Whether replacement makes sense | Compare the kWh/year of your current appliance and the model you're considering, the price per kWh, the purchase price and any repair quote over the same period. | If I want to know whether the potential savings justify a purchase or repair, I compare these costs with my actual energy use. Around 34% of consumers concerned prioritise whether replacement makes sense. |
| Fresh food capacity | Check the fridge capacity, dimensions and available space. Que Choisir gives an indicative guide of 100 to 150 litres for one person, then 50 litres for each additional person. | When I mostly store fresh food, I look for a capacity that suits my shopping without buying an unnecessarily large appliance. Around 25% of consumers concerned prioritise getting the fridge capacity right. |
| Need for a freezer | Check that there's a suitable freezer compartment, its capacity in litres separately from the fridge capacity, as well as the appliance's kWh/year and dimensions. | If I regularly store frozen food, I want to know whether the compartment suits my needs without overlooking total energy use. Around 25% of consumers concerned prioritise frozen food storage. |
| Repair and product lifespan | Check the applicable warranty, ask for a quote and look into repair options. French repairability and durability indices are not required for fridges under the relevant product categories. | If I want to keep my appliance or limit the cost of a breakdown, I check the warranty and repair options first. Around 16% of consumers concerned prioritise repair and product lifespan. |
The percentages represent the main concern associated with each choice scenario; they are not survey results. To compare models, the energy label shows annual consumption in kWh. On its own, it isn't enough to predict your household's actual energy bill.
Figures published by ADEME don't measure your appliance's energy use or your electricity tariff. So they can't be used to calculate your personal savings directly.
Compare the annual consumption figures shown and, if you estimate potential savings, use your household's tariff and the same comparison period. Also factor in the purchase price and any potential repair.
ADEME notes that a larger size and extra features can push up your bill. A fridge without a freezer and a fridge-freezer don't meet the same needs.
First decide whether you store frozen food, then compare the usable capacities and kWh/year of models suited to that use.
The Repair Bonus described by ecosystem applies to eligible out-of-warranty repairs carried out by a QualiRépar repairer; it isn't automatically available when you buy a new appliance.
Check the warranty terms, whether the repair is eligible and the quote before comparing this option with replacement.
The brand offers compact fridges, including the Rdi 1620 Plus, which has a capacity of 141 l.
Bosch offers single-door fridges without a freezer compartment, including the KSV33VWEP, which provides plenty of space for fresh food.
Samsung offers fridge-freezers, including the RB34C605CB1/EF, listed with a total capacity of 344 l.
Beko also offers single-door fridges without a freezer, such as the RSSE415M41WN.
The models featured here are fridge-freezers and multi-door fridges. Compare their capacities, kWh/year and dimensions to suit your storage needs.
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This fridge-freezer lets you compare fridge and freezer capacities separately, making it suitable for a household that uses both compartments.
Energy rating C; stated consumption: 169 kWh/year; 183 l fridge capacity and 113 l freezer capacity.
Allow at least 5 cm of clearance at the back, top and sides, as instructed.
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This multi-door model may suit you if you're looking for separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Energy rating E; stated consumption: 298 kWh/year; 329 l fridge capacity and 159 l freezer capacity.
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This multi-door model offers a stated capacity of 467 l for households that use both the fridge and freezer compartments.
Energy rating E; stated consumption: 290 kWh/year; stated dimensions: 83,3 × 65 × 181,5 cm.
The doors aren't reversible.
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This side-by-side model has fridge and freezer compartments for households looking to store fresh and frozen food.
Energy rating E; stated consumption: 289 kWh/year; stated total capacity: 444 l; Total No Frost system.
The instructions say to leave the appliance upright for at least 4 hours before first use.
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This fridge-freezer lets you compare the capacity of both compartments if you're looking for an appliance for fresh and frozen food.
Energy rating E; 211 l fridge capacity and 99 l freezer capacity; stated width: 60 cm.
The doors are reversible.
No. For a specific model, start with its stated kWh/year and the price per kWh that applies to your household. To estimate any savings, you'll also need comparable energy use figures for your current appliance. ADEME points out that published averages don't predict the savings for an individual household.
ecosystem lists a Repair Bonus of 25 € for an eligible out-of-warranty repair of a fridge or freezer carried out by a QualiRépar repairer. Check the eligibility conditions and get a quote before comparing this option with buying a new appliance.
Yes. The DGCCRF states that household fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers are covered by European Regulation 2019/2016 on energy labelling, which has applied since 1 March 2021. Check the label for the exact model when you buy.
Fridges aren't among the product categories listed on the ministerial pages consulted for these indices. So don't treat the absence of a rating as a poor assessment of the model; instead, check the warranty terms and repair options.
ADEME says you can hand it over to the retailer or delivery team when your new appliance is delivered, or take it to the dedicated electrical and electronic equipment area at a recycling centre. Refrigeration appliances need to be handled through the appropriate disposal route.