Learn More About Dishwashers

If you're still hand washing your dishes every night or using an older model dishwasher, you're wasting both time and money. Make the switch to an energy efficient model today and start saving as much as 5,000 gallons of water, $40 in utility costs, and 230 hours of your time each year. Look for the ENERGY STAR® rating – qualified dishwashers are 10% more efficient than other models and are more efficient than models that simply meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.

When selecting a dishwasher, look for a model with both multiple wash and drying cycle settings. The most common cycles include a light cycle for washing lightly-soiled dishes or china and crystal; normal cycles for regular, everyday dishwashing; heavy or "pots and pans" cycles for dishes or baking pans with tough to remove food on them. Delay start is a popular feature because it allows you to set the dishwasher to start automatically at a later time. Dishwashers with a booster heater clean dishes with hotter water while allowing you to set your water heater at a lower, energy-efficient setting.

For maximum energy savings, use the light, short-wash or energy-saving cycle for everything but the dirtiest dishes and choose an air-dry or overnight dry setting when possible. These use less energy and work just as well. Although it may be tempting, avoid overfilling your dishwasher. This actually reduces efficiency and oftentimes causes dishes to have to be rewashed or hand washed. So what are you waiting for? Replace your old dishwasher today, relax and let the savings wash in without lifting a finger.