A fridge-freezer needs to fit your kitchen, open comfortably and suit the way you shop and cook. Only then is it useful to compare its energy label, noise and extra features. These ten checks are ordered by how strongly they can affect your decision.
This is not a ranking of brands or models. It ranks the checks: first those that could make an appliance unsuitable for your home, then everyday use, running cost and after-sales support. There is no universally “best” capacity or energy class for every household.
How we ordered the checks
We included questions that affect installation, usable capacity, comparable running-cost information, comfort or service. The first three come first because a measuring or installation mistake can derail a purchase at delivery. Household use and comparison data follow; noise, freezer-specific needs and service come later. We use no numerical score and recommend no particular model.
1. Measure the space and the full delivery route
Measure the height, width and depth of the place where the appliance will stand. Check anything that projects into the space: a skirting board, cabinet, pipe, worktop or radiator. Then measure the entrance, hallway, stairs and turns along the route to the kitchen. A catalogue dimension does not always tell you whether an appliance will pass through a narrow section.
Compare the appliance’s outside dimensions and the manufacturer’s installation requirements, not just the width of a kitchen niche. Leave room for opening and servicing it as specified in the exact model’s manual.
2. Check the door swing and drawer access
Think through how the door will open beside a wall, island or adjacent cabinets. Can you pull the shelves and drawers all the way out? Will the freezer compartment open far enough to reach food at the back?
Some models allow the hinges to be reversed; others do not, or require a separate service. Check the exact product code before relying on a change after delivery.
3. Confirm the installation type and ventilation
Decide whether you need a freestanding or built-in appliance. They can have different cabinet, front-panel, airflow and installation requirements. Do not assume every fridge can sit flush against a wall or replace a model with similar outside dimensions.
Check the manufacturer’s installation diagram and manual for clearances, air openings, levelling and electrical connection. There is no universal safe clearance in centimetres that applies to every model.
4. Match usable space and layout to your household
The label shows compartment volumes, but total litres alone do not tell you whether the appliance will hold your usual shopping. Consider how much fresh food you keep, whether you cook for several days, how much frozen food you buy and what containers you use.
Check shelf width and adjustability, drawer size and door storage. The right choice depends on your habits and kitchen; a “litres per person” formula cannot replace this check.
5. Read the current A–G energy label
Refrigerators and freezers sold in the EU use a revised A–G label scale from 1 March 2021. The letter is only one part of the label. Also look at annual energy use in kWh, compartment volumes and the noise information.
Do not compare a letter on the current label directly with one on the old label: the scales differ. A higher class on its own also does not make a model the best choice for every price, size and pattern of use.
6. Compare annual consumption with your tariff
Write down the kWh/year shown on the label for each model you are considering. For a rough annual cost, multiply that figure by the applicable electricity rate in your contract. If your tariff changes by time of day, the result is only an estimate; actual use also depends on room temperature, settings, door openings and how full the appliance is.
This gives you a common standardized figure for comparing models without treating the label as a promise of your future bill. Do not use unverified claims about money saved as a substitute for your own calculation.
7. Scan the QR code and match the exact model in EPREL
The QR code on the label links to the public EPREL database. Match the product identifier in the record to the full model offered by the seller. Similar model names can hide different volumes, equipment or label data.
Open the product information sheet and check that it describes the same variant, including the model suffix. If the code and listing do not match, ask the seller to clarify before ordering.
8. Consider noise in the room where it will stand
Check the declared decibels and airborne-noise class on the label. If your kitchen opens into the living room or the appliance will be near a sleeping area, noise may matter more than it would in a separate room.
Also check the installation and levelling instructions: poor placement can affect perceived vibration. The label figure helps compare models, but it cannot guarantee how an appliance will sound in your room.
9. Check the freezer compartment and room conditions
Match freezer volume to how often you freeze food and the size of the packages you store. If you freeze large amounts, check the product information sheet for freezing capacity when available instead of judging only by the number of drawers.
If the appliance will be in a very cold or unheated room, check the climate class and permitted ambient conditions for the exact model. Do not assume every fridge-freezer works equally well outside a heated kitchen.
10. Check service, spare parts and delivery terms
Before paying, check who handles warranty claims, where service is available and what the warranty covers. Ask about availability and lead times for spare parts for the exact model, and whether delivery includes carrying it upstairs, installation, reversing the door or removing the old appliance.
EU ecodesign rules include requirements related to reparability and recyclability. That does not automatically mean a particular part is readily available nearby or that every service centre repairs the model. Check practical arrangements with the manufacturer and seller.
A short selection order
First eliminate models that cannot pass through your delivery route or be installed correctly. Then compare usable space and layout; after that, use the label and EPREL record to compare exact variants and estimated consumption. Finally, consider noise, freezer needs and after-sales support.
Useful starting points are the European Commission page on fridges and freezers (https://energy-efficient-products.ec.europa.eu/product-list/fridges-and-freezers_en), the EPREL database (https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/screen/home) and Bulgaria’s information on energy labelling (https://www.mi.government.bg/politiki-i-strategii/energiyna-efektivnost/energiino-etiketirane/). Keep the product information sheet and manual for the exact model you choose.
