Why energy-efficient appliances matter, and how they save you money

If your utility bill keeps creeping up, your appliances are almost certainly part of the problem. Refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers, and dryers all draw power every day—and older models are especially hungry.

The good news: Swapping in newer energy-efficient appliances and using them wisely can cut your energy usage and save you real money over the life of each product.

This guide pulls together the best advice from Reviewed’s coverage of refrigerators, large appliances, and energy savings so you can upgrade (or simply use what you have) in a smarter, more cost-effective way.

Why energy-efficient appliances pay off, and old ones don't

Refrigerators are among the most energy-intensive appliances in the home, accounting for roughly 7% of residential electricity use. Older models are especially inefficient: According to Energy Star, a decades-old fridge can use around a third more energy than a newer, Energy Star–certified model.

That pattern holds across the kitchen and laundry room:

• Refrigerators run 24/7, so even modest efficiency gains add up quickly.
• Cooktops and ranges can waste energy by heating the air around your cookware instead of the pan itself.
• Washers and dryers can overuse both water and electricity, especially older top-loaders with pole agitators.
• Dishwashers can be dramatically more efficient than hand washing—particularly when they meet Energy Star standards.

You may pay more up front for an energy-efficient model, but you recoup that cost over time through lower utility bills. In the case of a refrigerator, Energy Star estimates that replacing a fridge that’s more than 10 years old with a new, certified model can save you on the order of a couple hundred dollars over its typical 12-year lifespan.

Understanding Energy Star and EnergyGuide labels

Energy Star is a government-backed program run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that certifies products meeting specific efficiency standards. When you see the Energy Star badge on a fridge, dishwasher, washer, or other appliance, it means that model uses significantly less energy than the federal minimum and is designed to keep your utility costs lower.

Manufacturers participate voluntarily, but for shoppers the logo is a quick shorthand: If you’re comparing otherwise similar appliances, choosing the Energy Star–certified one is usually the more cost-effective choice over the long term.

How to read the yellow EnergyGuide label

Posted on appliances in stores or in the online product images, you’ll see the yellow EnergyGuide label. That label shows:

• Estimated yearly electricity use
• Estimated yearly operating cost
• A comparison range so you can see how that model stacks up against similar products
• The appliance’s size, type, and often an indication if it’s Energy Star certified

Use the label to compare the short list of models you’re considering. Two fridges might look similar, but if one uses notably less electricity each year, that difference compounds over a decade or more of ownership.

Start with your biggest energy hog: The refrigerator

If your main fridge is more than 10 years old, it’s often worth replacing it even if it “still works.” Newer fridges are more efficient by design, and swapping an old energy hog for a modern, Energy Star–certified model can reduce its electricity use significantly over the product’s lifetime.

You may pay more up front, but your monthly power bill drops right away—and those savings accumulate for as long as you own the appliance.

Choose the right style and size

Not all refrigerators use energy the same way:

• Top-freezer models are typically the most efficient and can use less power than a standard light bulb.

• Bottom-freezer fridges are next-best, offering easier access to fresh food with only a small energy penalty.

• Side-by-side models usually draw more energy because they have more surface area to keep cold.

Size matters, too. A giant fridge will cost more to run than a modestly sized one. A single larger refrigerator is usually more efficient than two smaller units—so if you can live without that extra garage fridge, you’ll save.

Fridge features that actually improve efficiency

Modern fridges offer a long list of bells and whistles, but some features genuinely help reduce energy use:

• Energy Star certification: It’s your baseline assurance that the fridge meets stricter efficiency standards.

• Dual compressors: In fridges such as the Bosch B36CL80SNS, instead of one compressor handling both fridge and freezer compartments, two smaller compressors split the work. That lets each section stay at the right temperature more efficiently and reduces how hard each compressor has to work when you open the door.

• Advanced adaptive (variable-speed) compressors: Rather than constantly cycling fully on and off, they adjust their speed to maintain steady temperatures. Starting a compressor uses the most energy, so fewer full starts and stops mean lower power use and more consistent cooling, which also keeps food fresher longer.

• LED interior lighting: LEDs draw a fraction of the electricity of traditional 40-watt bulbs while flooding the interior with bright, even light so you can see everything. Better visibility also means you’re less likely to let forgotten leftovers go to waste.

• Vacation or “holiday” mode: If you’ll be away for a while, this setting lets the fridge rest at a slightly higher internal temperature, cutting down on compressor run time while still keeping the interior safe—as long as you clear out highly perishable items before you go.

On the flip side, some convenience features actually increase energy use. Through-the-door ice and water dispensers, for example, can boost a fridge’s energy consumption by a noticeable margin, so weigh how much you value those features against your savings goals.

Smart door designs that keep cold air in

Any time you open the door, cold air spills out and the fridge has to work to cool everything down again. Newer door designs aim to minimize that loss:

• Door-in-door designs, often featured in LG refrigerators let you open just the shallow front section to grab frequently used items, instead of opening the entire fridge.

• Glass “peek” panels, also a popular LG feature, light up when you tap or knock let you see what’s inside without opening the door at all, helping you decide what you want before you reach in.

• Asymmetrical French doors (where one door is wider than the other), featured in the Frigidaire GRQC2255BF allow you to reach most of the interior through a narrower opening, reducing cold-air escape.

Over years of daily use, those small efficiency gains help keep both your food and your budget in better shape.

Other appliances that drive up your bill

Cooktops and ranges

Cooking appliances vary widely in how they use energy:

• Gas ranges can be more efficient than standard electric coils, especially if you use appropriately sized burners and good lids on pots and pans.

• Induction ranges and cooktops are often the most efficient of all because they heat the pan directly using electromagnetic fields, rather than heating the air around it. That means faster boiling, less ambient heat in the kitchen, and less energy expended by your air conditioning system.

If you’re remodeling or replacing a worn-out range, an efficient gas or induction model can cut your cooking-related energy use.

Washers and dryers

In the laundry room, traditional top-load washers with a center agitator tend to use more water and energy. Front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders use less water and rely on the clothes tumbling against each other and the drum to get clean. That means less energy to heat water and run the motor.

Pairing a high-efficiency washer with a modern dryer (especially one with moisture sensors that stop the cycle when clothes are dry) can significantly reduce the cost of each load.

Dishwashers

If you’re still hand-washing dishes to “save energy,” you may be doing the opposite. Newer dishwasher models, particularly Energy Star–certified models, use far less water than washing by hand and can use over 40% less energy than non-certified versions.

The key is to run full loads and choose an eco or energy-saving cycle when possible.

How to shop smart for energy-efficient appliances

• Look for Energy Star first. Make the certification an important criteria in shopping for new fridges, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.

• Compare EnergyGuide labels. Once you have a shortlist, use the estimated yearly energy use and cost to pick the most efficient model that still meets your needs.

• Right-size your appliances. Don’t overbuy capacity “just in case” if you rarely use it—larger appliances almost always draw more power.

• Be wary of energy-hungry extras. Features like through-the-door dispensers and internal cameras add convenience but also extra energy use.

• Consider sustainability beyond the plug. Some brands, such as Bosch and Whirlpool invest in greener manufacturing, water reduction, and waste recycling. While that doesn’t directly change your power bill, it does reduce the overall environmental footprint of your upgrade.

Everyday habits that stretch your savings further

Upgrading appliances is only half the story. How you use them day to day matters just as much.

Smarter refrigerator habits

• Close the door quickly. Don’t stand there browsing; decide what you want before you open the fridge (that’s where glass doors and the InstaView feature come in handy). Many newer models also include door alarms to nudge you if you forget.

• Give it breathing room. Leave at least an inch around the sides and back of your fridge so air can circulate around the coils. A cramped fit makes the compressor work harder.

• Keep it away from heat sources. If possible, don’t sandwich your fridge right next to an oven, range, or dishwasher. Extra ambient heat makes it work harder to stay cool.

• Stick to one main fridge. That second old unit in the garage might be convenient, but it’s often a hidden energy drain.

Kitchen and laundry routines

• Use a microwave or countertop oven when you can. They use less energy than your full-size oven, especially for reheating or cooking small portions.

• Fill the dishwasher before running it. Running full loads makes the most of every cycle. Also, look for a dishwasher that dries dishes without using excess energy.

• Air-dry delicate clothes. Hanging items that don’t need a full dryer cycle cuts both wear and tear and electricity use.

• Time your cycles for off-peak hours (if your utility charges variable rates). Running washers, dryers, and dishwashers when electricity is cheaper can shrink your bill without changing how much you use those appliances.

Don’t forget the end of the line: Recycling old appliances

When you finally upgrade, don’t just leave your old appliances on the curb. In addition to EPA regulations around appliance disposal, properly recycling your old appliance is just plain good for the planet.

Many municipalities, retailers, and utility companies offer haul-away and recycling programs that keep recyclable materials out of landfills and ensure refrigerants and other components are handled safely.

That’s also better for the planet than letting an old, inefficient fridge keep humming along in a garage or basement.

Energy-efficient appliances save you money

New, energy-efficient appliances will save you money in two crucial ways: They use less electricity and/or water every time they run, and they often help your food and clothing last longer by doing their jobs more effectively.

If you pair smart appliance upgrades—especially to your refrigerator, range, washer, dryer, and dishwasher—with a few everyday good habits, you’ll see the impact on your utility bills month after month.