The appliance glossary: 85 terms explained in plain English

Terms are sorted by theme, then alphabetically. Where a technology goes by different names depending on the brand, we cite the main ones. Details specific to each brand can be found in their sections: Bosch, Siemens, Samsung, LG, Hisense, Beko, Whirlpool and Haier.

Energy, labels and standards

• A to G (energy classes) : the European energy label scale since 2021 (2025 for tumble dryers). Deliberately strict: a current C is worth an old A+++ or better.
• A -20%, A -40%... : a marketing claim indicating the appliance uses 20 or 40% less than the A class threshold.
• Climate class : the ambient temperature range within which a fridge operates correctly (SN, N, ST, T). Important for a garage.
• Spin efficiency class : on a washing machine's label, from A (driest laundry) to G.
• Noise class : from A (quiet) to D, next to the decibel value.
• dB(A) : A-weighted decibels, the unit of noise. A 10 dB increase is perceived as roughly twice as loud.
• Ecodesign : European rules that impose minimum performance levels, spare parts availability and repairability.
• EPREL : the European database of labelled products. The QR code on the label links to it.
• kWh per 100 cycles : energy consumption displayed for washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers, measured on the Eco programme.
• kWh per year : annual energy consumption displayed for fridges, freezers and wine coolers.

Laundry

• AI Wash, AI DD, AdaptiveWash : names of sensor-based or learning systems (Samsung, LG, Whirlpool) that adjust water, detergent, movements or duration.
• Anti-crease : tumbling or steam at the end of a cycle to limit creasing if the laundry waits.
• AquaStop, Aqua Protect : total leak protection: double-walled hose with solenoid valve and floor tray with float switch. Also available on dishwashers.
• Unbalanced load : imbalance of the laundry in the drum during spin. The machine reduces speed or stops.
• Rated capacity : the maximum dry cotton load, in kilos.
• Carbon brushes : wear parts of conventional universal motors, absent from inverter motors.
• Direct Drive : motor mounted directly on the drum, without belt or pulley (LG, Haier Direct Motion, Whirlpool ZEN).
• Automatic dosing : detergent tank lasting several weeks, dosed according to the load (i-DOS, Auto Dispense, ezDispense, AutoDose, Autodose).
• Eco 40-60 : mandatory programme washing cotton at 40 or 60 °C, heating less and for longer. It forms the basis of the label.
• EcoBubble : Samsung technology that turns detergent into foam before washing, so you can wash at lower temperatures.
• Spin speed (rpm) : maximum drum rotation speed for removing water. 1,400 rpm is enough in most cases.
• Pump filter : filter behind the access panel at the bottom of the washing machine, which catches objects and lint before the drain pump.
• Porthole : glass front door; by extension, a front-loading washing machine.
• Stacking kit : brand accessory for safely stacking a tumble dryer on a washing machine.
• Inverter motor : brushless motor with variable speed, quieter, more precise and durable. Often covered by a 10-year warranty (parts).
• Automatic load sensing : the machine assesses the load and adjusts water and duration.
• 20 °C programme : mandatory programme for lightly soiled laundry.
• Slim : washing machine with reduced depth, around 45 cm.
• Top : top-loading washing machine, 40 cm wide.
• TurboWash, QuickDrive, Speed Perfect : fast-wash technologies (LG, Samsung, Bosch).
• Steam : steam injection to remove creases, refresh or sanitise (Steam, SteamCure, FreshCare+ Steam, Iron Assist).
• Transport bolts : bolts that lock the drum during transport. To be removed before first use.

Drying

• Drying capacity : on a washer-dryer, the load it can dry, lower than its washing capacity.
• Condensation : water from the laundry is collected in a tank. The condensation efficiency (in %) is shown on the energy label.
• Self-cleaning condenser : condenser rinsed automatically, so it keeps its efficiency over time.
• Vented (tumble dryer) : older type of tumble dryer that expelled damp air outside through a duct. No longer sold new.
• Lint filter : door-mounted filter to empty after every drying cycle.
• Washer dryer : washing machine that also dries, in the same drum.
• Heat pump : refrigerant circuit that heats the drying air and recycles the heat. The only technology sold new since July 2025.
• R290 : propane used as a natural refrigerant in many recent heat pumps.
• Moisture sensor : sensor that stops drying at the chosen level (AutoDry, AI Dry, Sensor Dry, PrecisionDry).
• Smart Pairing, Auto Cycle Link, Smart Dry : the washing machine passes its programme to the tumble dryer of the same brand (LG, Samsung, Bosch).

Dishwasher

• Spray arms : rotating perforated arms that spray water over the dishes.
• Place setting : standard unit of capacity (plates, glasses and cutlery for one person).
• Heat exchanger : drying system that uses the heat from the drum to condense the steam.
• Tall height (XXL) : dishwasher for a recess of about 86.5 cm or more.
• Fully integrated : dishwasher whose control panel remains visible above the cabinet door front.
• Rinse aid : product that helps water run off the dishes, for fewer streaks and better drying.
• Automatic door opening : the door opens slightly at the end of the cycle to release steam (EfficientDry, autoOpen dry, Auto Open Door, NaturalDry, SelfDry).
• Light projection, TimeLight : signal or remaining time projected onto the floor by a fully integrated dishwasher.
• Regeneration salt : special salt that regenerates the built-in water softener.
• Cutlery drawer (third level) : flat basket on top for cutlery and small utensils.
• Fully integrated : dishwasher fully concealed behind the cabinet front, with controls on the edge of the door.
• Vario Hinge, varioHinge : sliding hinge from Bosch and Siemens for tall fronts or low plinths.
• Zeolite : mineral that absorbs moisture and releases it as dry heat for superior drying (PerfectDry at Bosch, Zeolith at Siemens).
• Intensive zone : area of the lower rack with reinforced jets for pans (Extra Clean Zone, PowerClean).

Refrigeration

• American-style (side-by-side) : fridge 90 cm or wider, with two doors side by side.
• Fridge freezer : fridge with freezer at the bottom, the best-selling format.
• Inverter compressor : variable-speed compressor, quieter and more energy-efficient.
• Chest freezer : chest freezer, very energy-efficient, with manual defrosting.
• Dual circuit : fridge and freezer each with their own air, so no transfer of odours.
• Fan cooling : a fan evens out the temperature inside the fridge.
• Static cooling : no fan; colder at the bottom, and frost needs defrosting.
• Sliding rails : fixing where the cabinet door slides on the door of a built-in fridge.
• Low Frost : less frost, but defrosting is still needed, though less often.
• Multi-door (French door) : fridge 70 to 90 cm wide with several doors and drawers.
• No Frost (Total No Frost) : fan cooling in the freezer too, so no more frost.
• Door-on-door : fixing where the cabinet door is screwed directly onto the door of the built-in fridge.
• R600a : isobutane, the refrigerant used in the vast majority of domestic fridges.
• Super freeze : function to switch on before storing a lot of fresh food.
• Table top : small 85 cm tall fridge, for a studio or as a supplementary unit.
• 0 °C zone (chill drawer) : drawer kept near 0 °C for meat, fish or vegetables (VitaFresh, hyperFresh, BioFresh).

Cooking

• Catalytic cleaning : enamelled walls that break down grease during cooking above around 200 °C.
• Fan oven (circulated heat) : a fan spreads the heat so you can cook on several shelves at once.
• Combi-steam : oven that combines true steam cooking with conventional cooking.
• Domino : compact 30 cm hob.
• Hydrolysis Assisted cleaning with water poured onto the hob base, simply for convenience.
• Induction : a magnetic field heats the bottom of the pan directly (must be magnetic).
• Pyrolysis : the oven heats up to around 500 °C and reduces soiling to ash.
• Recirculation, extraction (hood) : the hood filters the air and returns it to the room, or vents it outside.
• Cooking probe : core thermometer that stops cooking at the right temperature.
• Hob : in Belgium, the hob or cooktop.
• Flexible zone (FlexInduction) : induction zones that can be joined together for a large dish.

Installation and integration

• Built-in : appliance designed to fit a furniture recess.
• Recess : the space in the cabinet, whose height, width and depth you measure.
• Plinth (kickboard) : strip at the bottom of kitchen units, whose height matters for a built-in dishwasher.
• Freestanding : complete appliance with its finish, placed wherever you like.
• RGIE : General Regulation on Electrical Installations, which governs connections in Belgium.
• Semi-integrated : freestanding appliance slid under the worktop without its top.

Full details of the measurements are in our built-in or freestanding page.

Connectivity

• Brand apps : Home Connect (Bosch, Siemens), SmartThings (Samsung), ThinQ (LG), ConnectLife (Hisense), HomeWhiz (Beko, Whirlpool), hOn (Haier, Candy).
• Remote diagnostics : the app or after-sales service reads the appliance codes to prepare the repair.
• Downloadable programmes : special programmes added via the app.
• Delayed start : scheduled start, useful for taking advantage of off-peak hours or solar panels.

Warranty, service and Belgium

• Commercial guarantee : optional guarantee from the manufacturer or retailer, in addition to the statutory guarantee (for example 10 years on a motor, often parts only).
• Legal guarantee : 2 years in Belgium, owed by the seller, who must prove the fault did not exist at delivery.
• Spare parts (10 years) : minimum period of availability for essential parts required by the EU for washing machines and dishwashers.
• Rating plate : label showing the reference and serial number, to note down before calling after-sales service.
• Recupel : Belgian organisation that collects electrical appliances; when buying a new one, the seller takes back your old similar appliance free of charge.
• Recupel fee : amount included in the price of every new appliance, which funds collection and recycling.
• After-sales service : after-sales service, from the manufacturer or an approved repairer.

To go further: the washing programmes explained, the washing machine buying guide and the dishwasher buying guide.

A few appliances that illustrate these technologies

Washing machine BOSCH WUU28T69FR€879.00Washing machine SAMSUNG WW11DB7B94GB€1,199.00Washing machine LG F94R50WHS€611.00Fully integrated dishwasher BOSCH SMV6ZCX03E€1,239.00Built-in dishwasher SIEMENS SN75EX23CE€1,279.00Tumble dryer SAMSUNG DV90DG6845HH€999.00Bosch SMS6ECC12E Dishwasher€1,239.00Dishwasher HISENSE HS672B90B€433.00

Prices and specifications: the product page on nimestore.com is the reference, and Nimesclub members often get a reduced price.

Frequently asked questions