The Top Home Appliances That Can Save You Money

June 3, 2023

*Updated February 7th, 2025

Household appliances make our lives easier, but they can also be sneaky energy hogs, driving up utility bills without us even realizing it. The good news? Choosing the right energy-efficient appliances—and using them strategically—can help you save money while keeping your home running smoothly.

From refrigerators that regulate temperature more efficiently to washing machines that cut down on water usage, modern appliances are designed with cost savings in mind. But it’s not just about buying the latest models—knowing when and how to use them can make a big difference in your long-term savings.

Ready to lower your energy bills without sacrificing comfort or convenience? Let’s dive into the top home appliances that can help you save money and how to make the most of them.

What are Energy Saving Appliances?

One of the best ways to identify energy-saving appliances is to shop for appliances with the Energy Star logo. The Energy Star logo is a white star with blue writing you’ve likely seen many times before. This signifies that the appliance is certified energy efficient.

For each appliance, this could mean something different. However, all appliances with Energy Star meet specific standards for energy efficiency. To qualify, appliances must meet the following:

  • Contain features and performance that consumers want while providing them energy efficiently
  • Provide adequate energy efficiency that saves consumers money in the long run, even if the appliance costs more than others
  • The energy-efficiency technology is available to multiple manufacturers
  • There is adequate proof of the energy savings

In addition to energy-saving appliances, don’t miss small changes in your daily life that can make a big difference. Check out energy saving tips for home appliances!

What Household Appliances Cost the Most to Run?

So which household appliances should you consider for energy efficiency? While any energy-efficient appliance will save you money, it may help to focus on appliances that cost the most to run, such as:

  • HVAC – It probably doesn’t surprise you that your HVAC system takes up most of your energy. Heating generally uses more energy than cooling, but it depends on where you live. Also, the type of system you have plays a role.
  • Water heater – You may not think of your water heater as a big energy source, but it fuels your washing machine, shower, dishwasher, and sink. If you have a large household with excessive water use, it likely uses the next most extensive energy output.
  • Refrigerator – The refrigerator runs non-stop to keep your food cold. Because of this, it’s a significant source of energy usage in your home.
  • Washer and dryer – How much energy your washer and dryer use depends on the size of your family, how often you do laundry, and the water temperature used. If you use hot water frequently, it uses more energy.

What Household Appliances Use the Least Electricity?

Not all appliances are major energy hogs—some barely make a dent in your electricity bill! While big-ticket items like air conditioners and dryers can drive up costs, plenty of household appliances operate efficiently without consuming much power.

For example, dishwashers might seem like a big energy user, but they’re actually designed to be efficient. Many modern models use minimal electricity and even less water than hand-washing dishes. Running your dishwasher on an eco-friendly setting or during off-peak hours can help save even more.

Your electric oven also uses less energy than you might think—especially when compared to stovetop cooking. Newer ovens with convection settings cook food faster and at lower temperatures, cutting down on electricity use. Plus, using smaller appliances like an air fryer or toaster oven for everyday cooking can further reduce energy consumption.

Surprisingly, your cable box is another low-energy appliance, especially newer models designed for efficiency. While older cable boxes were notorious for being energy vampires, today’s options consume much less power. To minimize energy use even further, consider turning off your cable box when it’s not in use or opting for streaming devices, which are often more efficient.

Other low-energy household appliances include LED lighting, modern TVs, microwaves, and even ceiling fans, which use significantly less electricity than running an HVAC system. The key to keeping your energy bills low is choosing ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, unplugging devices when they’re not in use, and being mindful of how and when you use your home’s electrical equipment.

What Energy-Efficient Top Home Appliances to Save You Money?

Want to cut down on your utility bills without sacrificing comfort? The best way to ensure you’re getting an energy-efficient appliance is to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. These certified appliances are designed to use less electricity and water while delivering the same (or better) performance as standard models. Over time, they can lead to hundreds of dollars in savings on your energy bills.

But not all appliances make the same impact. If you’re looking for the biggest savings, focus on the appliances that run most frequently or consume the most power. Upgrading these key household essentials can help you save the most money in the long run. Here’s where to start:

1. Dryers

Depending on your dryer’s age and model, it could use the most energy in the house! For example, a clothes dryer can use as much as two times the energy of an energy-efficient refrigerator and four times that of a washer.

Energy Star dryers must use at least 20% less energy than a traditional dryer, saving you money and using less energy.

2. Washing Machine

The average household does around 300 loads of laundry annually, so the washing machine is an excellent place to focus energy efficiency. Not only do Energy Star washing machines use 20% less energy, but they use 30% less water, too, saving you money on electricity and water.

3. Refrigerators

An energy-efficient refrigerator can save about 9% in energy usage. You won’t have to sacrifice features, either. If you want expanded or modern features, you’ll find them on the most energy-efficient refrigerators available today.

4. Dishwasher

An energy-efficient dishwasher can save households 12% energy and 30% water, saving you money on two utilities. Believe it or not, using an energy-efficient dishwasher saves half the energy required to wash dishes by hand and, of course, saves you time.

When is the Best Time to Run Appliances?

You might be paying time-of-use rates depending on where you live and what utility company you use. In other words, there are peak and off-peak times to use utilities, with peak times having the highest prices and off-peak the lowest.

During peak times, the demand is the highest, so rates increase, and during off-peak, they decrease because of lower demand. Of course, some appliances must run 24/7, like your refrigerator, but with certain appliances you can pick the time when you choose to use in order to reduce energy costs.

Most utility companies have winter peak and off-peak times and summer peak and off-peak times. Call your utility company to find out the peak and off-peak times and try to time things like washing or drying clothes, running the dishwasher, or taking showers during off-peak times.

Other Ways to Save Money on Energy

In addition to buying the top home appliances that can save you money in the long run, consider these energy-saving tips.

  • Don’t use the dishwasher’s drying feature. Instead, open the dishwasher slightly and let the dishes air dry.
  • Use ceiling fans to cool rooms down and keep the thermometer slightly higher.
  • Keep the oven closed while cooking. Opening the oven while cooking releases 25% of the energy, forcing the oven to work harder and longer.
  • Use a dimmer to use lights on a lower setting whenever possible.
  • Install a programmable thermostat to reduce the energy use in the house when no one is home or everyone is asleep.
  • Regularly change air filters. Changing your filters monthly allows your HVAC system to run efficiently and use less energy.
  • Keep vents open. Don’t let anything block your vents, such as furniture or large items, and keep each one open to allow the HVAC system to push warm or cold air throughout the house evenly.
  • Unplug appliances not in use. If you don’t need an appliance plugged in, such as the refrigerator, unplug them when not used.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right home appliances isn’t just about convenience—it’s about making smart financial and environmental decisions. While energy-efficient appliances may come with a higher upfront cost, they more than pay for themselves over time through lower utility bills, reduced maintenance, and a longer lifespan. Plus, many of them qualify for rebates and incentives, putting even more money back in your pocket.

Beyond the savings, upgrading to efficient appliances helps reduce your home’s energy consumption, making a positive impact on the environment. Whether you’re switching to an ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator, upgrading to a high-efficiency washer, or simply using your dishwasher during off-peak hours, small changes can add up to significant savings.

At the end of the day, the best home investments are the ones that work smarter, not harder. So, take a closer look at the appliances in your home, consider making some upgrades, and start enjoying a more energy-efficient (and budget-friendly) lifestyle!

FAQ

What appliances should you turn off to save money?

Turning off every appliance that’s not in use that you can is best. Consider electronics, portable fans, lights, and small kitchen appliances. Also, consider appliances in the bathroom, such as hair tools, or heavy electronics, such as laptops.

Do energy-efficient appliances really save money?

Energy-efficient appliances can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. But, even if an appliance saves you $200 in energy usage over its lifetime, that’s money saved and less energy used.

What appliances use electricity when not in use?

Many appliances, including TVs, computers, phones, stereos, microwaves, and lamps, use energy when turned off. Anything you can unplug when not in use can help reduce your energy usage.

Additional Appliance Resources