Factoring energy-efficient appliances into your renovation budget shouldn’t feel unachievable.
At Rehome, this is exactly what we’re trying to prove. By curating ex-display and approved-used appliances from premium brands, we can offer top-quality products for rates of up to 80% less than high-street prices.
Here, you can expect names like Miele, NEFF, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero/Wolf, Fisher & Paykel, Liebherr and more, all in one place. Are you looking for an eco-friendly dishwasher? Maybe you’re eager to swap an old gas hob for an induction model.
Whatever the case, choosing pre-loved keeps great products in use and cuts the hidden (embodied) carbon of manufacturing new.
1. Induction (and venting) hobs
Why are they a smart choice? Did you know that induction hobs heat the pan directly rather than the glass or the air? So, you get rapid, precise control with less wasted heat than with gas or electric hobs.
If you’re short on headroom (or prefer a clear view across an island), look at hobs with an integrated extractor. Systems from brands like BORA and NEFF pull steam down at the source.
Depending on your kitchen configuration, most of these appliances can be installed to recirculate (using filters) or duct out (to outside).
2. Combination steam ovens
Why are they a smart choice? Combi-steam ovens work exactly like their names suggest. They combine three different modes of cooking, convection (dry heat), steam (moist heat) and a mixture of the two.
As fan-assisted convection ovens with steam technology, these appliances are great at cooking food evenly without drying out.
It’s brilliant for batch-cooking and even better for leftovers – steam-assisted reheats bring dishes back to life rather than toughening them up. Among our energy-efficient appliances, combi ovens are particularly well-suited for aspiring chefs. Brands you’ll see on Rehome (like Miele and Gaggenau) design these appliances specifically for everyday baking, steaming and roasting.
3. Boiling water taps
Why are they a smart choice? With a boiling water tap, you can pour exactly what you need without overfilling. Advice from UK energy charities consistently says that homeowners should only boil the water they need to optimise electricity use.
Quooker’s own guidance states that anyone who needs boiling water several times a day will not use more energy with a Quooker than with a kettle. Luckily, we have plenty of new and reconditioned Quooker taps!
Pairing your model with the Quooker CUBE can also give homeowners instant access to filtered chilled and sparkling water from the same tap – a great upgrade without adding a second appliance.
4. Wine cooling
Why are they a smart choice? There’s no point having a second, full-sized fridge just for drinks. If you enjoy a few bottles at their best, a compact, well-sealed wine cooler could save you money in the long run.
It protects against your vintages against heat, humidity swings, vibration and light with half the energy needs of a second fridge. Given that fridges/freezers draw power 24/7, a purpose-built wine cooler (like those from Kaelo) offers a lighter footprint.
Just be sure to purchase the capacity you’ll actually use. A cooler with the right-sized bottle count will keep the cabinet sensibly-filled (and make sure you’re not running empty space).
They’re one of our more luxurious energy-efficient appliances, but wine coolers are still a great addition to any modern kitchen.
5. Warming drawers
Why are they a smart choice? There are plenty of little jobs that don’t justify heating a whole oven: warming plates and cups, keeping dishes at serving temperature, proving dough, gently melting chocolate and even low-temperature cooking.
That’s why warming drawers have become such a popular, eco-friendly upgrade. Premium brands you’ll find on Rehome (like Miele, NEFF, and Gaggenau) design products with steady heat and simple controls specifically for these tasks.
Look for handleless push-to-open models and slide-out runners if you want them to be easily accessible.
6. Dishwashers
Why are they a smart choice? You might be wondering: ‘How are dishwashers one of our energy-efficient appliances?’ But most modern products come with Auto/Eco programmes that sense the load and soil level, then optimise water and heat.
You get clean plates with less waste! The Eco setting is the reference cycle on today’s energy labels, and advice from energy charities is to run it in full.
When shopping for the most eco-friendly products, look for auto-opening doors for drier dishes. NEFF and Miele appliances open the door at the end of the cycle for better drying. You could also keep an eye out for smart sensory features. Brands like Gaggenau offer aqua sensors, which are capable of adjusting to how dirty the water is mid-cycle (to avoid overwashing).
Checklist for purchasing energy-efficient appliances
As the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom outlet, we encourage all shoppers to think carefully before investing.
Sustainability is one of our driving forces: with every used kitchen sold, we save 3,500 kg of carbon and contribute to reduced rates of global deforestation.
So, if you’re unsure what to check before (and after) shopping from our range of eco-friendly appliances, here’s a quick breakdown:
- Buy to keep: Pick premium, serviceable brands with strong parts/support (Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero/Wolf, Fisher & Paykel, Liebherr and more).
- Match capacity to reality: Don’t oversize cold storage! Bigger fridges/freezers of the same rating usually use more energy, so be realistic. Run the dishwasher only when full, and reheat/batch-cook smartly.
- Choose smart defaults: Opt for efficient induction hobs and use Eco/Auto programmes on dishwashers as your everyday setting.
- Go refurbished/approved-used first: Save money and keep quality, energy-efficient appliances in use. Shop with Rehome today, and get the kitchen you want for an affordable price.
