Buying a washing machine, fridge or cooker: delivery, installation and checks

Key rules

• Old appliance: Ask for removal of your old appliance when you order, because some shops need it booked ahead.
• Installation: Basic installation usually means connecting to existing points only, so confirm the price and what is included.
• Guarantee: Your claim goes to the seller, in writing, with your proof of purchase.
• Gas: Never connect a gas cooker or boiler yourself; use an authorised gas installer.
• Energy label: Class A is often empty on new labels, so a B or C can be a good result.

Delivery, installation and taking away the old unit

When a shop delivers a new appliance, it must take away your old equivalent one free of charge. Ask for this when you order. Some shops want the pick-up booked in advance, so do not wait until delivery day. The old unit must be the same type or do the same job, for example an old fridge for a new fridge.

Delivery and installation are separate services. Large retailers usually deliver to the door or the kitchen, and often charge extra for installation. Delivery is often free above a spend threshold or for large appliances. Installation is usually a modest flat fee per item. Fees change, so ask the shop for the current price before you pay.

Basic installation normally means unpacking, removing the packaging, and connecting a washing machine, dishwasher or fridge to water, drain and power points that already exist. It does not usually cover new plumbing or wiring. Gas, built-in, extractor hood and air-conditioning work costs more and may need a certified installer. Ask exactly what is included in writing before you pay.

Reading the energy label

The label gives a class from A (most efficient, green) to G (least efficient, red). Fridges, freezers, washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers, TVs and displays use a scale that was reset in March 2021. The old A+, A++ and A+++ classes are gone. Because of this, the top class A is often empty on new labels, and a good modern appliance may sit at B or C. Do not read that as a poor product.

The label also shows yearly energy use, such as kWh per year or per 100 cycles. Depending on the product, it shows capacity, noise, water use or programme length. A QR code opens the official EU product database. Ovens, air conditioners and tumble dryers keep labels under their own rules, so compare them only with the same type.

Your guarantee

New goods bought from a business in Spain come with a legal guarantee of 3 years from delivery. The seller is responsible, not only the manufacturer. If something fails, you can ask for a free repair or replacement. If that is not possible or fails, you can ask for a price reduction or refund.

To claim:

1. Keep the receipt or other proof of purchase.
2. Contact the seller and put the complaint in writing or by email.
3. If the seller refuses, use the official complaint form (hoja de reclamaciones), your regional consumer office or arbitration.

Second-hand goods can have a shorter guarantee, with a minimum of 1 year if agreed. A manufacturer's own warranty is a separate extra and does not replace your legal rights.

Gas appliances

Only an authorised gas installer may connect or modify a gas cooker or boiler. Do not connect one yourself, even if the fitting looks simple. After new work, the installer issues a certificado de instalación and registers it with the regional authority and the gas distributor.

Homes with piped gas get a periodic inspection, normally every 5 years, carried out by the distributor. Boilers also need a maintenance contract with an authorised company. If you use a bottled butane cooker, the regulated hose has an expiry date and must be replaced when it runs out. Details and fees vary by region and distributor.

Bringing appliances from home

Check the warning below before you pack anything. Voltage and gas fittings in Spain often do not match appliances from other countries, so buying locally is often safer.

The documents and checklist below list what to keep and what to ask the shop.

Documents you need

• Receipt or other proof of purchase, to claim under the 3-year guarantee from the seller.

• Certificate of installation (certificado de instalación), issued by the authorised gas installer after a new gas connection or modification.

• Certificate from the periodic inspection of piped gas, normally every 5 years, issued by the gas distributor.

Checklist

• Ask the shop what its delivery and installation include and what each costs.

• Ask whether installation covers connection to your existing water, drain and power points.

• Confirm whether gas, built-in or extractor hood fittings need a certified installer and extra cost.

• Hire an authorised gas installer for any gas cooker or boiler connection.

• Ask for the certificate of installation after any gas work.

• Send any complaint to the seller in writing or by email.

Appliances from home: voltage, plugs and gas fittings

• 110 V appliances can burn out or start a fire: Spain uses 230 V at 50 Hz. A 110-120 V appliance plugged straight into a Spanish socket can be destroyed or become dangerous. Heating appliances such as kettles, toasters, irons, hair dryers and heaters would need very large, heavy transformers. Read the rating label. Use only appliances marked for 230 V, or dual voltage (100-240 V). Replace 110 V heating appliances with local ones. Phone and laptop chargers marked 100-240 V only need a plug adaptor.

• Motor appliances from 60 Hz countries may run wrongly: Some clocks, turntables, and US washers and dryers are built for 60 Hz and may run wrongly at 50 Hz, even with a converter. Buy washers and dryers in Spain. UK appliances at 230 V work with a UK-to-EU plug adaptor and need no converter.

• Cheap adaptors and extension strips can overheat: Sockets in Spain are two-round-pin Type C and Type F. A cheap adaptor or strip can overheat under a heavy load. A Type C Europlug is rated at only about 2.5 A. Plug washing machines, ovens, kettles, heaters and air-conditioners straight into a wall socket. Never chain adaptors or strips. Use CE-marked ones rated above the load, and replace anything that gets warm.

• Imported gas cookers and boilers rarely fit: Spain uses piped natural gas and butane in 12.5 kg orange bottles, with different pressures and regulators. US or UK cookers and boilers generally do not match Spanish connectors, CE certification or flue standards. Buy gas appliances in Spain. Only an authorised gas installer (instalador de gas autorizado) may connect or modify a gas cooker or boiler. Ask them to check the appliance is set for your gas type.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the top energy class A look empty on new labels?

The top class A is left empty on the rescaled labels so there is room for more efficient products in future. Since March 2021 fridges, freezers, washing machines, washer-dryers and dishwashers use the plain A to G scale, with no A+, A++ or A+++. Scan the QR code on the label to see the full product details.

Do ovens and tumble dryers use the same energy label scale?

No, ovens, air conditioners and tumble dryers keep the labels of their own rules, so their scales may differ from the A to G fridge or washing machine label. Compare the class only between products of the same type. The QR code on the label shows the details.

Do I have to claim a faulty appliance from the manufacturer?

No, you claim from the seller, not necessarily the manufacturer. Keep your receipt and send the complaint in writing or by email.

Does the gas cooker need a certificate after installation?

Yes, after a new gas installation or modification the authorised installer issues a certificate of installation (certificado de instalación) and registers it. Keep a copy.