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Do I have to accept a replacement cooker?

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UKPublished 6 October 2026 · Written by BuyMeWhiskey Editorial Team · How we check facts

You do not normally have to accept a particular replacement cooker just because an insurer, retailer or service-plan provider has offered it. Check whether the offer matches the policy or consumer-law remedy you are entitled to.

Next question: How to replace a Danfoss FP715Si with smart heating controls →

Before accepting a replacement, compare it with the policy or consumer-law remedy you were promised and ask the provider to explain any material difference.

Check your consumer rights on GOV.UK

Start with the contract or your statutory rights

If a cooker is being replaced under a service plan, insurance policy or extended warranty, the first question is not whether the model is your preferred choice. It is what the contract says the provider can do after a covered breakdown. Many policies let the business repair the appliance or, where repair is uneconomic, offer a replacement or cash settlement. That can give the provider some discretion over the make and model.

That does not mean every replacement is automatically acceptable. Read the wording about “equivalent”, “like for like”, specification, age, capacity, features and limits. Save the original appliance details, photographs and the provider’s written offer. If the replacement is materially different, ask for the reason and the policy term being relied on.

A warranty does not replace your rights against the retailer

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, where goods do not conform to the contract, a consumer may in appropriate circumstances require repair or replacement. The trader must do the repair or replacement within a reasonable time, without significant inconvenience, and bear necessary costs. A repair or replacement can be refused where it is impossible or disproportionate compared with the alternative remedy.

This matters with cookers because there can be two separate routes: the retailer’s legal responsibility and a separate warranty or insurance claim. A service-plan provider may operate under its policy terms, but you should not assume that a failed appliance automatically eliminates the retailer’s obligations. Work out which agreement you are using before agreeing a settlement.

What counts as a sensible replacement?

An “equivalent” replacement should be assessed by practical specification, not just by colour or brand. Check dimensions, fuel type, number of ovens, hob type, capacity, installation requirements, energy characteristics and any feature that was central to your purchase. A replacement that costs the provider less is not necessarily equivalent to the one you originally bought.

Equally, an appliance with a higher retail price is not automatically something you can demand. The correct remedy depends on the legal route and the policy wording. If you are offered a different model, ask for the model number and compare the specification line by line.

Electric, gas and induction are not interchangeable in every home

Fuel type can be a material difference. A gas cooker may require a suitable gas connection and installation by an appropriately qualified person. An induction hob needs compatible magnetic cookware and a suitable electrical supply. A standard electric hob works differently again. Do not focus only on the appliance price: installation, electrical work, ventilation and cookware can change the real cost.

Ofgem’s current price-cap figures for 1 October to 31 December 2026 illustrate why you should compare the actual energy use rather than simply the headline unit price. The average direct-debit cap figures are 26.32 pence per kWh for electricity and 7.97 pence per kWh for gas, before considering the appliance’s efficiency and your own tariff.

What to do when the offered cooker is not suitable

Ask for the proposed model in writing.
Compare its dimensions, fuel type and core functions with your old cooker.
Ask whether the replacement is subject to a contribution, excess or installation charge.
Ask whether you can take a cash settlement instead, if the policy allows it.
Do not dispose of the old cooker or sign a final settlement until you understand the terms.

If the dispute is with an insurer or home-emergency provider, use the firm's formal complaints process. The Financial Ombudsman Service can deal with certain insurance complaints after you have complained to the business first.

Electric kettle versus gas for small jobs

For a small amount of water, a kettle can be a better match than heating a pan because you are heating only the water you need. On gas, the raw fuel price per kWh may be lower, but that does not tell you the useful heat delivered into the pan or kettle. For an everyday decision, measure the electricity or gas actually used for the task and compare costs rather than assuming the cheapest unit price always wins.

When to escalate

If the provider keeps insisting that you accept a clearly unsuitable replacement, ask for the exact policy clause and the complaints procedure. Keep a paper trail of the original purchase, breakdown, engineer's report and proposed replacement. If the issue involves your statutory rights, Citizens Advice can help explain the consumer-law route. If it is an insurance or regulated financial-services complaint, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be an appropriate next step after the firm’s final response or the expiry of the relevant complaint period.

Illustrative cooking cost at Ofgem cap unit rates

Worked example

Illustrative comparison: suppose an appliance uses 3 kWh of electricity for a cooking session, while an alternative gas setup uses 5 kWh of gas. Those consumption figures are illustrative; real appliances can use more or less.

Electricity at the Ofgem 1 October to 31 December 2026 average direct-debit cap unit rate: 3 × 26.32p = 78.96p.
Gas at the same period's average direct-debit cap unit rate: 5 × 7.97p = 39.85p.
The illustrative difference is 78.96p − 39.85p = 39.11p.

This does not prove that a gas cooker is cheaper to run. It only shows why you must combine the unit price with actual appliance consumption and efficiency. For a replacement dispute, compare specification first; then consider running costs, installation and your existing home setup.

Do I have to accept the exact replacement cooker offered?#

Not necessarily. A service-plan or insurance contract may give the provider discretion, but it still has to apply its terms fairly and consistently. Ask which clause permits the proposed model and whether an equivalent specification is required. Check the written terms and keep the provider's proposal so you can challenge any material mismatch.

Can a retailer choose repair instead of replacement?#

The Consumer Rights Act can require repair or replacement, but the trader can refuse the particular remedy where it is impossible or disproportionate. The practical outcome depends on the fault, the appliance and the alternative remedy available. Check the written terms and keep the provider's proposal so you can challenge any material mismatch.

What if the replacement cooker is smaller or has fewer functions?#

Ask the provider to explain why the model is considered equivalent. Compare dimensions, capacity, fuel type and core functions in writing. A cheaper model is not automatically an equivalent replacement simply because it is also a cooker. Check the written terms and keep the provider's proposal so you can challenge any material mismatch.

Can I ask for cash instead of a replacement?#

Sometimes, but it depends on the legal route and the service-plan or insurance terms. An insurer may have a right to repair or replace rather than pay you the retail price. Check the settlement wording before accepting anything. Check the written terms and keep the provider's proposal so you can challenge any material mismatch.

Is induction cheaper than gas to run?#

There is no universal answer from the unit price alone. Induction and gas use different amounts of energy for the same cooking task. Compare your actual appliance consumption and tariff, and remember that installation and cookware can affect the result.

What if a replacement cooker needs extra electrical work?#

Ask who pays before accepting the model. If the proposed appliance needs a different supply, additional installation or other work, those costs can make an apparently equivalent replacement less practical. Get the installation requirements in writing. Check the written terms and keep the provider's proposal so you can challenge any material mismatch.

Keep reading

Next question →How to replace a Danfoss FP715Si with smart heating controls

Sources

Figures were checked against these sources before publication. If a rule changes, we update the page and show the new date.

General information, not personal financial advice. Rules depend on your circumstances; check the official source or speak to a regulated adviser before acting.