Appliance upgrades that can lower your utility bills
Old appliances can quietly drain your budget each month. This blog explores energy-efficient appliance upgrades that lower utility bills and explains how Snap Finance can help you get the savings sooner.
Key takeaways:
Energy-efficient appliances cut electricity and water use, lowering monthly bills
The biggest savings often come from refrigerators, washers, dryers, and HVAC systems
Snap Finance makes upgrades possible now with convenient lease-to-own payments
Your appliances are working around the clock – refrigerators that run 24/7, washers and dryers that handle weekly loads, and stoves that fuel family meals. But if those appliances are outdated, they may be quietly draining your bank account every single month.
The good news? Replacing old, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliance upgrades can cut your electricity and water use dramatically. While it takes money upfront, these changes can lead to big savings on your utility bills over time.
Why energy-efficient appliances matter
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, household appliances and electronics account for nearly one-third of home energy use. Outdated models use far more power and water than today’s technology allows.
Take refrigerators, for example: a unit that’s 15 years old may use 40% more electricity than a modern Energy Star model. Multiply that kind of waste across multiple appliances, and you can see why bills add up quickly.
Energy-efficient appliances are designed to do the same jobs with less power or water. The Energy Star label is the easiest way to spot these models – they meet strict federal standards for efficiency. Over time, those savings add up, making new appliances an investment that pays for itself.
Appliance upgrades that lower bills
Let’s look at some of the best energy-efficient appliance upgrades that can make a difference in your home:
Refrigerators. Older refrigerators run constantly, using far more energy than newer designs. Some older models can cost up $200 per year to operate. Modern models are insulated better, use advanced compressors, and are built with energy efficiency in mind.
Washers and dryers. High-efficiency washers use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than traditional models. Pair that with a high-efficiency dryer that uses moisture sensors instead of timed cycles, and you’ll see both your water and electricity bills go down.
Dishwashers. New dishwashers clean better while using less than half the water of older models. Some use as little as three gallons per cycle, compared to 10 gallons in older designs. That’s not just water savings – it’s lower energy use since your water heater works less.
Ovens and stoves. Induction cooktops transfer heat more efficiently than gas or traditional electric stoves, cutting cooking times and reducing wasted energy. Even modern gas ranges use less fuel than older ones, giving you more cooking power at a lower cost.
HVAC systems and water heaters. These are big-ticket appliances, but also big sources of savings. Heating and cooling alone account for nearly half of a household’s energy use. An efficient furnace, air conditioning unit, or water heater can drop bills by hundreds of dollars per year.
The upfront cost barrier
Many households know these upgrades save money long-term, but the initial upfront price tag causes them to delay. A new refrigerator, washer, or stove can run into the hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars.
That delay keeps bills higher month after month. And the longer you wait, the more you spend on wasted electricity and water.
How Snap’s lease-to-own financing helps you save sooner
If buying an appliance outright isn’t possible, Snap Finance’s lease-to-own financing gives you another option. Instead of waiting, you can upgrade now and pay over time.
Snap Finance works like this:
Apply online or at a partner retailer – no credit needed1
Take your new energy-efficient appliance home right away or have it delivered
Make payments over time until you own it
Snap also offers early ownership options, so if you want to pay off your lease early and save on overall lease costs, you can.2 This way, you start capturing the savings on your utility bills right away instead of waiting until you can pay in full.
Interested in learning more? Read our appliance financing guide.
Monthly savings in action
Imagine if you replaced your 15-year-old refrigerator with an Energy Star-certified model with these hypothetical costs:
Old fridge: $20 per month in electricity
New fridge: $12 per month in electricity
Monthly savings: $8
That may not sound like much, but over a year it adds up to nearly $100 in savings—and that’s just from one appliance. Add in an efficient washer, dryer, and dishwasher, and the savings multiply.
If you used Snap Finance to bring home the new fridge today, you would start saving on your bills immediately instead of waiting. Over time, the lower utility bills help offset the cost of the appliance, making the upgrade easier to manage.
Tips for maximizing appliance savings
Getting the right appliance is just the first step. You can stretch your savings further with these strategies:
Look for the Energy Star label. This ensures the appliance meets top efficiency standards.
Check for rebates and tax credits. Many states, utilities, and the federal government offer incentives for energy-efficient purchases.
Shop sales and bundle deals. Holiday weekends and end-of-season sales are prime times for appliance discounts.
Maintain your appliances. Regular cleaning, filter changes, and proper use keep appliances running efficiently for longer.
Smarter upgrades, lower bills
Every month, old appliances quietly add dollars to your electricity and water bills. Making the switch to energy-efficient appliance upgrades is a smart way to cut costs, reduce waste, and enjoy better performance at home.
With Snap Finance, you don’t have to wait until your budget allows for a big purchase. Lease-to-own lets you bring home the appliances you need now and pay over time.
Shop smarter, save more: Find a Snap Finance partner appliance retailer today and start lowering your energy bills this season.
The advertised service is a lease-to-own agreement provided by Snap RTO LLC. Lease-to-own financing is not available to residents of Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
1 Not all applicants are approved. While no credit history is required, Snap obtains information from consumer reporting agencies in connection with applications, and your score with those agencies may be affected.
2 The default payment plan is the Maximum-Term Plan, which includes 12- to 18-month renewable terms and is your highest cost option. To exercise an early ownership option, including any early buyout promotions, you must make all regular payments on time and ensure the required amount is paid within the applicable timeframe through the customer portal or by contacting Customer Care at 1-877-557-3769. Early buyout promotions may include a cost of lease above the merchandise price. For details and limitations, including relating to applicable early ownership options, refer to your lease agreement.