Things To Know About Dishwashers
  • ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers are 10% more efficient than non-qualified models and are more efficient than models that simply meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.
  • Do you have a dishwasher made before 1994? If so, you're paying an extra $40 a year on your utility bills and using an additional 10 gallons of water per cycle compared to owning a new ENERGY STAR® qualified model.
  • When purchasing a new dishwasher, keep your usage in mind. Standard-capacity models hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces, while compact-capacity models hold just up to that amount. More frequent use of a compact model may actually use more energy than fewer washes with a standard model.
  • Consider purchasing a dishwasher with a booster heater that raises incoming water to 140F (60C) or higher. The higher temperature melts dishwasher soap and cleans those greasy dishes while allowing you to save energy by setting your home water heater to 120F (49C).
  • Dishwashers with a variety of wash cycle options can save you a bundle. If your dishes are only slightly soiled, use the light, short-wash, or energy-saving wash cycle, which use less water and operate for a shorter period of time.
  • Washing dishes by hand uses much more water than using a dishwasher. Using an ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwasher instead of hand washing will save 5,000 gallons of water, $40 in utility costs, and 230 hours of your time annually.
  • Don't overfill your dishwasher when loading it. Overfilling may actually cause your dishwasher to be less efficient because of blocked water flow, sometimes causing you to have to rewash dishes after they have been run through the dishwasher.
  • Choose a dishwasher that gives you both heat-drying and air-drying options. Heat-drying elements use considerable energy; air-drying options use very little, cutting your dishwasher's energy use by up to 50%.
  • Avoid using the "rinse hold" setting on your dishwasher. "Rinse hold" uses three to seven gallons of hot water for each use, and heating the water takes extra energy. Never use "rinse hold" for just a few dirty dishes.