Purpose: To review an advanced solutions to improve the energy efficiency of electric arc furnace (EAF), and presentation of own new efficient low-cost solutions with regard to needs of electrometallurgical complex of Ukraine. Design/methodology/approach: Numerical simulation and industrial experiment is used. The patterns and parameters of heat and mass transfer processes, hydromechanics in a steelmaking bath of an arc furnace, thermal operation of water-cooled elements and gas dynamics in EAF workspace, are the subject scope of the paper. Findings: Energy-efficient solutions for steelmaking: bath geometry, design features of water-cooled elements (WCE), distributed aspiration system, and the mid-temperature scrap preheating. Research limitations/implications: Influence of the bath depth on heat and mass transfer and heat loss by radiation; influence of the spatial structure of WCE on heat loss by radiation; the dispersion of aspiration on the amount of fugitive emissions through electrode gaps are established. Practical implications: Grounds to improve EAF melting space, water-cooled elements, aspiration system and utilization of energy loss are obtained. Use of the set of solutions in 120-ton EAF can reduce energy consumption by 56-68 kWh/ton. Originality/value: The new concepts of deep steelmaking bath, WCE with spatial structure and system of dispersed aspiration of the EAF are elaborated.