A toaster that stops heating properly after six months, a table that’s too wide for the kitchen, a vacuum cleaner with filters you can’t find anywhere: we’ve all been there. Choosing home equipment is first and foremost about avoiding paying twice—once when you buy it and again when you replace it. The real measure isn’t the price tag, but what the appliance or piece of furniture will cost over several years of everyday use.
Five-year cost of ownership: the real cost of home equipment
Here’s a simple example. Two washing machines differ in price by around a hundred euros. The cheaper one uses more water and electricity with every cycle. Over five years, the difference in running costs far outweighs the initial saving.
This applies to most everyday household items: vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, lighting, kitchen furniture. The purchase price is only a fraction of the true cost. Maintenance, consumables (filters, bags, bulbs) and energy use often add up to much more.
Before comparing models, look at three specific factors: annual energy consumption (shown on the energy label), the cost of replacement parts and how often maintenance is needed. An appliance with expensive filters or parts that are no longer available after two years can quickly become a liability. Factor in these three costs alongside the purchase price for a far more reliable estimate of the total cost than a simple comparison of list prices.
To explore different product ranges and compare technical specifications before buying, Habiz’s home equipment section brings together several useful everyday categories.
Repairability and durability ratings: two practical things to check before buying
Have you noticed the little score out of ten displayed on some appliances in stores? That’s the repairability index. In France, it applies to several product categories, including vacuum cleaners and dishwashers. The index assesses how easy a product is to take apart, access to technical documentation and the availability of spare parts.
A higher score means repairs are easier and less expensive. In practical terms, a vacuum cleaner rated 8/10 will have parts available for several years, an accessible disassembly guide and components that can be replaced without specialist tools. A model rated 3/10 will probably be thrown away after its first serious breakdown.
For televisions and washing machines, the durability index has replaced the repairability index. It includes two additional criteria: reliability and robustness. It’s a useful guide when choosing between an entry-level and a mid-range model. A durable appliance costs less than one you replace every three years.
Repair bonus: factor available support into your calculations
Before replacing a broken appliance, check whether it can be repaired. The repair bonus, available through QualiRépar-certified repairers, reduces the cost of certain repairs. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition reports an increase in the number of repairs between 2020 and 2024 among the organisations studied.
Including repairs in your budget isn’t just a symbolic gesture. It’s a measurable way to save money and extend the life of your equipment.
Furniture and accessories: choose the right size for the room, not the other way around
A common mistake when buying furniture is choosing a piece you like without measuring the available space. An oversized dining table blocks the way. A deep sofa in a narrow living room turns it into a corridor.
Measure the available floor space, not the room’s total area. Account for walkways (doors, hallways, access to windows) and fixed features (radiators, outlets). What’s left is the usable space for furniture.
The same principle applies to kitchens. A large-capacity stand mixer may seem appealing, but if your countertop is less than a metre wide, it’ll end up in a cupboard. Here are a few practical guidelines:
- Leave at least 80 cm of clearance around a table so people can sit down and get up comfortably
- Check how far a piece of furniture will extend from the wall: a sideboard more than 45 cm deep can quickly encroach on a narrow hallway
- For small homes, choose multifunctional furniture (an extendable table, a storage bench, a bed with drawers)
Quick decision checklist: five things to check before every purchase
Instead of trawling through endless online comparisons, use a simple checklist for every appliance or piece of furniture you’re considering. It works just as well for a toaster as it does for a wardrobe.
- Technical compatibility: Will the appliance work with your existing setup? A pan that’s compatible with induction may not work on every hob, so check the symbol on the base
- Actual dimensions and space required: Measure both the product and the space where it will be used or stored, including cables, open doors and extended drawers
- Maintenance and consumables: Identify wear parts (filters, seals, blades) and check their price and availability before buying
- Repairability or durability rating: When available, a score above 6/10 indicates a product designed to last
- Total cost over five years: add the purchase price, estimated energy use, annual maintenance and any replacement consumables
This five-point checklist takes just a few minutes. It helps you avoid store returns, duplicate purchases and appliances abandoned in a cupboard after a few months.
Choosing home equipment that suits your everyday needs and budget comes down to a few simple checks that people rarely make at the time of purchase. Measure, calculate the true cost and check the repairability rating: these three habits make a far bigger difference to the quality of your purchases than comparing prices alone.
