Appliances R&D
On this page you'll find information about the Building Technologies Program technology research and development in the area of appliances.
Appliances are important consumers of energy. Refrigerators and water heaters alone, for example, account for about 30% of U.S. residential energy use. Today's consumers, however, can choose appliances that are vastly more energy- and resource-efficient than earlier generations of products, thanks in part to technologies developed by the Department of Energy and its partners. By itself, one innovation—an improved refrigerator-freezer compressor—saved consumers more than $6 billion in energy costs between 1980 and 1990.
With continued R&D into appliance technologies, DOE seeks to build on this record of success; developing and demonstrating technologies that will enable manufacturers to further improve the energy efficiency of appliances, while maintaining or enhancing their performance and value. The potential energy savings are significant.
Strategy and Program Goals
DOE supports research and development on highly energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, and other appliances. The program also accelerates the introduction and widespread use of highly efficient appliances through voluntary partnerships with industry. DOE is also investigating strategies for appliance integration, as part of efforts to enable net-zero-energy buildings. Appliance integration and enhanced appliance controls will be key focus areas for future R&D. Read appliance success stories that have resulted from past R&D.