In spite of the ongoing war and wider economic pressures, official figures released today (Wednesday) by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure show that prices of major household appliances in Israel have fallen over the past year. The report also highlights a reduction in electricity usage and a broader selection of products available on the market\u2014outcomes of a reform that came into effect roughly one year ago, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and increasing competition.<\/p>\n
Import Reform: Making the Market More Accessible<\/strong> This shift has helped create a more open and competitive market, making it easier for Israeli consumers\u2014including recent immigrants\u2014 to access brands and models they may already be familiar with. The move also encourages affordability and greater choice across a range of home appliances.<\/p>\n Lower Electricity Use Means Lower Bills<\/strong> Credit: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure<\/strong> Appliance Prices Are Also Down<\/strong> Washing machines: 1.5% price drop Credit: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure<\/strong> Less Bureaucracy, More Simplicity<\/strong> New data shows falling prices on household appliances, improved energy efficiency, and wider variety for consumers\u2014one year after Israel eased import restrictions to open the market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":23030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,85,7],"tags":[1555,5634,5639,5635,3574,3224,5637,5638,3623,1831,5636],"class_list":["post-23028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-positive-moment","category-technology","tag-aliyah","tag-consumer-price-index","tag-cost-of-living","tag-electrical-appliances","tag-electricity","tag-eli-cohen","tag-energy-efficiency","tag-household-appliances","tag-import-reform","tag-israeli-economy","tag-ministry-of-energy-and-infrastructure"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe reform, led by Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen, removed the need for multiple layers of approval when importing household appliances. Under the new policy, any product legally marketed in the European Union and listed in the official registry can now be brought into Israel.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to the ministry’s findings, energy consumption has dropped significantly for key household appliances over the past year. These improvements translate into practical savings, with average annual reductions of up to \u20aa1,000 in electricity costs per household.<\/p>\n
\nWashing machines: 41% drop in electricity use \u2013 \u20aa64 saved annually
\nRefrigerators: 29% drop \u2013 \u20aa80 saved
\nClothes dryers: 54% drop \u2013 \u20aa162 saved
\nFreezers: 16% drop \u2013 \u20aa28 saved
\nAir conditioners: 21\u201328% drop \u2013 \u20aa190\u2013\u20aa280 saved<\/p>\n
\nIn addition to energy savings, appliance prices themselves have fallen\u2014a notable development in a country where durable goods have traditionally been expensive and tightly regulated.<\/p>\n
\nRefrigerators: 7% drop
\nDryers: 6% drop
\nFreezers: 11% drop<\/p>\n
\nThese price reductions occurred between 2021 and 2024, during a time when the Consumer Price Index in Israel rose by roughly 15%. For many Israelis\u2014and especially new olim managing the cost of setting up a home\u2014these savings make a meaningful difference.<\/p>\n
\nMinister Eli Cohen praised the reform\u2019s success:
\n\u201cThe reform we introduced to open the appliance market is reducing prices, expanding product variety, easing the electricity burden on households, and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy. It\u2019s an important move for the public.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"