By Deirdre Mundorf | Updated Jun 14, 2022 12:04 PM

Prices everywhere seem to be going up. While many expenses are out of your control, your electric bill is not. Energy efficient appliances—like refrigerators, washers and dryers, and dishwashers—consume less electricity than standard models. Since the federal government introduced the Energy Star program in 1992, it has reduced energy costs by $500 billion and greenhouse gasses by 4 billion metric tons.

Choosing an Energy Star appliance can help lower your monthly electric expenses. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that you’re also minimizing your environmental footprint. Below are 12 of the best energy-efficient appliances to add to your home in 2022, from a GE smart refrigerator to an LG electric dryer.

This 27.9-cubic-foot refrigerator from GE—the upgrade pick in our experts’ guide to the best refrigerators—connects to your home Wi-Fi network, allowing you to receive alerts should the internal temperature rise too high. According to estimates, this Energy Star appliance costs just $87 per year to operate, a yearly savings of nearly $20 compared to some other refrigerator models. Other impressive features include the adjustable temperature draw, hands-free autofill filtered water dispenser, and the door-in-door rotating bin to easily access what you need.

With its quiet 55-decibel operation, cycle-setting memory, quick 1-hour wash cycle, and soil sensor to adjust cleaning power as needed, this Energy Star stainless steel dishwasher from Whirlpool could make a nice addition to your kitchen. According to the dishwasher’s energy guide, it costs just $31 to operate per year with an electric water heater, or as little as $22 per year with a natural gas water heater. That’s nearly one-fourth less than similar models.

This electric dryer from Electrolux is one of the top Energy Star appliances you can add to your laundry room. It boasts advanced features such as Predictive Dry that calculates the time each load will need to dry, the Perfect Steam option to release wrinkles and static, and low-heat air dry cycle for more delicate items. It also has a generous 8.0-cubic-foot capacity so you can combine loads to further reduce electricity costs.

While some washing machines can cost up to $71 per year to operate, this Energy Star-certified Maytag washing machine has an estimated yearly cost of $30 (or even $13 if used with a natural gas water heater). It has an Extra Power button to tackle tough stains, “sanitize with Oxi” cycle to eliminate more bacteria, 30-minute quick wash cycle, and delayed start options.

You can run this LG Electronics top freezer refrigerator for an estimated yearly cost of just $46, putting it at the lowest end of the range for similar appliances. The 20-cubic-foot refrigerator offers full-width gallon door bins, two humidity-controlled crispers, digital sensors to maintain the ideal temperature setting, and a multi-airflow freshness system to keep your foods fresh and delicious.

This electric dryer from LG Electronics is designed with efficiency in mind—not only does it have an Energy Star certification, it also helps you save time and effort with a uniquely-designed dual-opening door. The door swings open like a traditional dryer door, but can also pull down to make it easier to transfer clothes without dropping them on the floor. It has built-in sensors to detect moisture, adjust drying times, and alert you when the lint filter or ducts need cleaning.

Coming from Bosch—one of the best dishwasher brands—this Energy Star model is both functional and efficient. It operates at just 44 decibels, can hold up to 16 place settings, offers a sanitize option to eliminate bacteria, and offers a top rack to hold utensils, lids, and other small items. More than 5,000 reviewers have given it five stars.

This energy-efficient GE Smart washing machine is one of our expert’s top picks after reviewing the best front-load washing machines. The 4.8-cubic-foot washer includes built-in Wi-Fi that allows it to send messages to update you on the status of each load. Other key features include the Microban technology to prevent odor-causing bacteria, the vent system to remove excess moisture, and the quick 20-minute wash cycle for lightly soiled items.

Save money every month with this 13.9-cubic-foot top freezer refrigerator from Frigidaire. The refrigerator features two full-width glass shelves, a full-width humidity controlled crisper drawer, and a sliding drawer to hold deli meats and cheeses. It also has an EvenTemp cooling system to maintain optimized airflow, interior LED lighting, and a reversible door.

This Whirlpool dishwasher offers a sensor cycle that chooses the ideal washing and drying settings for each load to keep water and energy usage to a minimum. Its fan dry setting leaves dishes cabinet-ready, while the Sani Rinse setting rids dishes of food bacteria. Along with that, it features an adjustable upper rack and hidden top controls.

This highly reviewed single-unit laundry center from LG Electronics can save you time and money. As one of the top Energy Star appliances, the estimated yearly cost for the unit is just $13. Despite its space-saving design, both the washer and dryer can handle large loads of laundry with their respective 4.5- and 7.4-cubic-foot capacities—which is why it was given the best high capacity award in our roundup of the best stackable washer and dryer. The washer’s AI technology allows it to select the ideal wash cycle, while the dryer’s sensors adjust drying time to match the needs of each load.

The Energy Star-certified Galanz top freezer refrigerator offers a nostalgic look and feel with an estimated yearly operating cost of just $35. One of our experts’ picks as the best top freezer refrigerators, this model features three slide-out glass shelves, a fruit and vegetable crisper, and adjustable electrical thermostat.

The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on 6/14/22.

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