The most energy efficient appliances in 2023
Updated
Using energy-efficient appliances can help you save money and lower your carbon footprint.
Many home appliances are energy-hungry and, in turn, use more power than they actually need. That’s why one of the easiest ways to lower your energy bill (and reduce your carbon footprint) is by utilizing energy-efficient appliances.
Looking for the Energy Star label on an appliance is a great way to ensure that it is truly energy efficient. In fact, a product that has been certified by Energy Star will be anywhere from 9 to 50% more efficient than the industry efficiency standard.
Let’s find out which appliances have the highest efficiency in 2023 and which ones will save you the most on your power bills.
*Note: This is an unbiased review: we have no financial ties with any of the companies mentioned, nor do we earn money from affiliate advertising. The content of this blog is based on research and information available at the time of writing.
Every year, Energy Star creates a list of the most energy-efficient product categories. We’re going to take a look at each of these appliances, as well as what you should expect to pay (and more importantly, save).
Washing machines
LG’s Energy Star-certified Signature Large Smart WiFi-Enabled Front Load Washer goes for $1,998.99. Image source: LG
With the average American family washing over 300 loads of laundry each year, an energy-efficient washing machine is vital, as it can be a great way to lower both your electric and water bill.
Clothes washers that have been certified by Energy Star will use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular washers. There are over 50 Energy Star-certified washing machines available from a number of different manufacturers, with LG as the most dominant brand with 24 certified models to choose from.
How much will you save?
According to Energy Star, purchasing a certified washing machine will save you around $370 in energy costs over the lifetime of the product, which is between 11 and 14 years. You can purchase an Energy Star-certified washing machine for anywhere between $649.99 to $3,149.99.
Dryers
Miele’s top-of-the-line heat-pump dryer, the PDR 908 HP is currently available for $3,773. Image source: Miele
Your clothing dryer is often one of the most energy-hungry appliances within your household, especially if you have an outdated one. An inefficient dryer also creates the most emissions and leaves one of the largest carbon footprints of any household appliance.
For a dryer to be certified by Energy Star, it has to use 20 percent less electricity than a conventional model. The dryers achieve this by using lower temperatures and incorporating sensors to detect when the clothes are dry, and more than a third of the models that are certified by Energy Star were manufactured by Miele.
There are no gas dryers that have gained the tick of approval from Energy Star; the 27 models certified by Energy Star are all-electric.
How much will you save?
An energy-efficient clothing dryer will have minimal financial savings, but will reduce your carbon emissions and clothing wear and tear caused by over-drying.
Using a certified dryer model will still save you about $20 a year on your electricity bill. Energy Star-certified dryers are also pretty costly, with prices upwards of $700, so it’s up to you if the environmental benefits are worth the price here.
Refrigerators
Danby’s bottom-mount refrigerator currently retails for $1,034. Image source: Danby
The energy efficiency of refrigerators has drastically improved in recent years. With innovations in insulation and compressors, refrigerators are able to be more energy-efficient without any sacrifice on performance.
Energy Star’s certified energy-efficient refrigerators are at least 9% more efficient than standard models, and there’s no shortage of selection. In fact, there are hundreds of certified standard and compact refrigerators to choose from, with some models saving you more money than others.
On your search for an energy-efficient refrigerator, you will most likely come across brands such as Frigidaire, Danby, or Insignia.
How much will you save?
According to Energy Star, with a new certified refrigerator you’ll save over $200 over the product's lifetime, which could be up to 12 years. With refrigerators ranging from $300 to $7,500, you’re able to have an energy-efficient option even if you're on a budget.
Dishwashers
Miele’s $1,299 G 5056 SCVi SF dishwasher is featured on Energy Star’s most efficient appliances list. Image source: Miele
An Energy Star-certified dishwasher will allow you to save more than just energy. Compared to standard dishwashers, it can also save you, on average, 3,870 gallons of water over its 10-year lifespan.
Innovations such as soil sensors, improved water filtration, and more efficient jets are all reasons why certified dishwashers are 12% more efficient than non-certified models.
A standout brand for energy-efficient dishwashers is Miele (again). Miele’s models of dishwashers take up more than half of Energy Star’s list of the most energy-efficient dishwashers.
How much will you save?
Rather than hand washing, using an Energy Star-certified dishwasher will save you 8,000 gallons of water and $130 per year on your water bill.
Transitioning from an outdated dishwasher to an Energy Star-certified model will also save you up to $35 per year on your electric bill. These savings make an energy-efficient dishwasher one of the most effective home appliances.
A certified dishwasher will range from $300 to $2,299.
Dehumidifiers
Midea’s EasyDry 50 Pint Dehumidifier, available for $149.99 to $179.98. Image source: Midea
A dehumidifier that is deemed energy efficient by Energy Star will use 15% less energy than other models that do the same job, thanks to more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans.
There is a wide range of portable dehumidifiers that are certified by Energy Star that will accommodate any budget, whereas there are only 12 certified whole-home dehumidifiers, meaning you are more limited with your options (and prices).
How much will you save?
Purchasing an Energy Star-certified dehumidifier will save homeowners up to 30% per year compared to a standard model. There’s no shortage of selection either, with over 200 energy-efficient dehumidifiers on the market.
The standout brand in the category is Midea, with 34 certified models. They are available in the price range of $150 to $340, depending on capacity and features.
Rebates & incentives for energy-efficient appliances
With most energy-efficient appliances coming at a price premium, you should take advantage of every opportunity to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
There are a number of state, local, and utility rebates available for purchasing certain energy-efficient appliances. Along with rebates and incentives, there are also companies like MidAmerican Energy that will actually offer to buy and recycle your outdated or inefficient appliances.
Benefits of owning energy-efficient appliances
Along with the appliances that we’ve gone through, there are a number of other Energy Star-certified products available, such as freezers, room air conditioners, ventilating fans, and computer monitors. They do come at a premium, but the financial and environmental benefits they bring are worth the extra cost.
Due to the appliances requiring 9% to 50% less energy to fulfill the same tasks, you will inevitably save money on your utility bills. Using energy-efficient appliances also eases the burden on the environment.
Water conservation is another standout perk: appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, and washing machines that are certified by Energy Star will help you save a considerable amount of water.
Increasing your savings with solar power
Although using energy-efficient appliances is a great way to save money, going solar is still the best option when it comes to taking control of your electricity usage.
Installing solar panels on your home can drastically reduce your electricity costs or even eliminate your electricity bills altogether. And with the 30% federal solar tax credit bringing the cost of solar down, now is one of the best times to install solar panels on your home.
To find out exactly how much you can save, visit our solar calculator.
Key takeaways
- Using energy-efficient appliances is one of the easiest ways to lower your household’s energy consumption and your electricity bills.
- You can be assured that the appliance is energy efficient if it has been certified by Energy Star.
- In 2023, the most energy-efficient appliances are washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and dehumidifiers.
- The most energy-efficient appliances will come at a higher price, but you will experience long-term savings while also reducing your impact on the environment.
Cameron Bates
Blog Author
Cameron is a business analyst and content specialist at SolarReviews.