The Appliance Glow-Up Your Home (and Wallet) Deserves
Most of us don’t think about our appliances until something goes wrong. The water won’t heat. The fridge starts sweating. The dryer limps through three cycles just to finish a load. Then there are your other old appliances, the ones that seem to be holding up fine. They might still be running, but chances are they're not running efficiently—and it’s costing more than you realize.
If you’re looking to shrink your energy use without shaking up your life, start with your appliances. ENERGY STAR® rated heat pump clothes dryers, induction stoves, heat pump water heaters, and refrigerators—they do what they’ve always done, just without the extra drag on your energy bill. And with rebates and tax credits available right now, swapping them out may not break the bank.
Here’s a look at some of the modern energy-efficient appliances now available—and why it might be time to trade in the old standbys.
Heat Pump Clothes Dryers: A Smarter Spin on Laundry Day
We don’t ask a lot from our dryers—just that they get the job done. Traditional dryers? Basically hot air cannons—blasting away like it’s their job, then chucking all that heat straight out the vent. Heat pump dryers flip the script. They keep the warmth in play, cycling it through your laundry to dry your clothes without the wasted energy.
That one change makes a big impact. According to NYSERDA, heat pump dryers use almost 30% less energy than standard electric models.
They’re also easier to place. No vent means you can tuck one into a closet, apartment, or anywhere space is tight. They don’t scorch your socks or beat up your delicates, either. Lower temps mean your clothes get dry without getting roughed up in the process.
If your current dryer is wheezing its way through another cycle, maybe it’s time to give it a well-earned retirement—and bring in something way more efficient. With available rebates you might not even have to foot the whole bill.
You don’t need to launch a full-blown appliance makeover. You can explore options you may not even know about ahead of time, so when it comes time to replace, you can make a better decision. Efficient replacements use less energy and run smarter. They help you lower your bills, shrink your carbon footprint, and get a little more comfort and control out of the place you call home.
Even better? With rebates, tax credits, and other incentive programs, upgrading your home’s appliances may be more affordable than you think.
Head to MyEnergy.NY.gov to explore your options and to plan your next energy-saving upgrade.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Myths vs. Facts: Energy Efficiency at Home
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Myth #1: Energy-efficient appliances are only worth it for new homes.
Fact: Older homes can benefit just as much—if not more—from energy-efficient upgrades, especially when replacing outdated equipment that uses extra energy and raises your energy bills.
Myth #1: Energy-efficient appliances are only worth it for new homes.
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Myth #6: Appliance upgrades are only about saving energy.
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Myth #6: Appliance upgrades are only about saving energy.
Fact: Energy-efficient appliances do more than lower your bills. When swapping out for fossil fuel appliances they cut indoor air pollution and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide exposure—especially when replacing gas stoves or water heaters. They’re safer, cleaner, and better for your whole home.
Myth #5: Energy-efficient appliances are too expensive for most families.
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Myth #5: Energy-efficient appliances are too expensive for most families.
Fact: Most energy efficiency appliance categories have options ranging from affordable to premium. Between rebates, tax incentives, and long-term energy savings, upgrading can actually pay off faster than many people realize.
Myth #4: You have to replace all appliances at once to make a difference.
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Myth #4: You have to replace all appliances at once to make a difference.
Fact: Swapping out even one old appliance—like a water heater, dryer, or fridge—can lower energy use, reduce emissions, and offer high performance results.
Myth #3: Heat pump clothes dryers only work with venting (or require a vent to be installed).
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Myth #3: Heat pump clothes dryers only work with venting (or require a vent to be installed).
Fact: Unlike traditional dryers, most heat pump clothes dryers are ventless—meaning they don’t require an external duct. That makes them easier to install in small spaces like closets or apartments, all while using almost 30% less energy.
Myth #2: Induction stoves are complicated and require special training.
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Myth #2: Induction stoves are complicated and require special training.
Fact: Induction stoves are user-friendly, fast, and safer than gas or standard electric stoves. If you’re comfortable operating everyday kitchen appliances, you’ll have no trouble here—plus, your existing pots and pans may already be compatible. Induction works with some stainless, blue, and carbon steel, as well as cast iron, enamel, or ceramic-coated iron.
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By Ryann Swift on October 2, 2025
Induction Stoves: The Kitchen Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Wanted
If you’ve never cooked on an induction stove, it’s hard to describe just how different it feels—until you do. The pan gets hot fast. The kitchen stays cool. There’s no open flame, no red-hot coil—just a smooth surface and precise, responsive heat that follows your lead.
Here’s how it works: induction uses electromagnetic energy to heat your cookware directly, instead of warming the burner underneath. That also means no combustion and no emissions, which can make a real difference in indoor air quality, especially if you’re switching from gas. That’s why NYSERDA puts induction stoves on the short list of upgrades that make everyday cooking faster, safer, and easier to clean up. The cooktop itself doesn’t get hot—only the pan does.
You’ll need cookware that works with induction (anything magnetic—like cast iron or most stainless steel), but chances are you already own a few compatible pieces.
If you cook a lot, it’s a game-changer. If you don’t, it might just be the thing that makes you want to start.
Heat Pump Water Heaters: A Better Way to Heat Water
Most water heaters are simple: they burn a fossil fuel (oil, propane, natural gas) or use electric resistance coils to crank up the heat. A heat pump water heater takes a different route. Instead of generating heat, it moves it—from the air around it into the tank—using the same basic science as a refrigerator, but in reverse.
That shift makes a huge difference. NYSERDA estimates that switch alone can cut energy use by 50–70%. And since water heating is usually the second biggest energy expense in a home, the savings add up fast—especially if your current unit is over a decade old.
There’s more to like: heat pump water heaters last longer and can help reduce humidity in stuffy basements. They’re also a lot more safe—eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide when replacing a fossil fuel-burning model. And remember, you can bring down the cost of upgrading with incentives from your electric utility and a federal tax credit.
It’s a behind-the-scenes upgrade with real results—especially when the utility bill arrives.
Refrigerators: The Coolest Upgrade You’ll Hardly Notice
It’s easy to forget that your fridge is working around the clock—that is, until the power goes out or something starts to smell. But older models can be serious energy hogs, quietly driving up your electric bill just by keeping the milk cold.
ENERGY STAR®-certified refrigerators are designed to fix that. They offer the same features and cooling power as regular models, but with about 9% less energy use, according to NYSERDA. And if your current fridge is 15 years old or more? You could be using up to 35% more energy than you need to.
Over time, that adds up. Trade that old energy-guzzling fridge for an ENERGY STAR® model and you could pocket up to $100/year in savings. Even better? These models tend to be quieter and are built to last with high-quality components and smart design.
With plenty of options on the market, this is one upgrade that won’t mess with your routine—but might make your kitchen feel a little more modern in the process.
We don’t ask a lot from our dryers—just that they get the job done. Traditional dryers? Basically hot air cannons—blasting away like it’s their job, then chucking all that heat straight out the vent. Heat pump dryers flip the script. They keep the warmth in play, cycling it through your laundry to dry your clothes without the wasted energy.
That one change makes a big impact. According to NYSERDA, heat pump dryers use almost 30% less energy than standard electric models.
They’re also easier to place. No vent means you can tuck one into a closet, apartment, or anywhere space is tight. They don’t scorch your socks or beat up your delicates, either. Lower temps mean your clothes get dry without getting roughed up in the process.
If your current dryer is wheezing its way through another cycle, maybe it’s time to give it a well-earned retirement—and bring in something way more efficient. With available rebates you might not even have to foot the whole bill.
Induction Stoves: The Kitchen Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Wanted
Heat Pump Water Heaters: A Better Way to Heat Water
Refrigerators: The Coolest Upgrade You’ll Hardly Notice
You don’t need to launch a full-blown appliance makeover. You can explore options you may not even know about ahead of time, so when it comes time to replace, you can make a better decision. Efficient replacements use less energy and run smarter. They help you lower your bills, shrink your carbon footprint, and get a little more comfort and control out of the place you call home.
Even better? With rebates, tax credits, and other incentive programs, upgrading your home’s appliances may be more affordable than you think.
Head to MyEnergy.NY.gov to explore your options and to plan your next energy-saving upgrade.