6 Energy Saving Tips for the Dishwasher

Whether buying a new dishwasher or using an existing one, you may be able to save a considerable amount of energy by changing the way you operate it.

Here are six tips on how to save energy:

1. Use energy-saving cycles whenever possible.

2. If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn down your water heater thermostat. Most dishwasher booster heaters can raise water temperature at least 20 F, so a setting of 120 F for your water heater should work fine. The washing cycle will take longer if the dishwasher has to boost the temperature, but unless you need to wash several loads in a row, this shouldn’t be a problem.

3. Use the no-heat air-dry feature on your dishwasher if it has one. If you have an older dishwasher that doesn’t include this feature, you can turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse cycle is completed an open the door to allow air drying. Using the no-heat dry feature or opening and air drying the dishes will increase the drying time, and it could lead to increased spotting, according to some in the industry. But try this method sometime to see how well it works with your machine.

4. Don’t pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers do a superb job of cleaning even heavily soiled dishes. Scrape off food and empty liquids—the dishwasher will do the rest. If you must rinse dishes first, at least use cold water.

5. Wash only full loads. The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it’s half-full or completely full. Putting dishes in the dishwasher throughout the day and running it once in the evening will use less water and energy than washing the dishes by hand throughout the day.

If you currently wash dishes by hand and fill sinks or plastic tubs with water, it’s pretty easy to figure out whether you would use less water with a dishwasher. Simply measure how much water it takes to fill the wash and rinse containers. If you wash dishes by hand two or three times a day, you might be surprised to find out how much water you’re currently using. Whether or not you will save energy by switching from washing-by-hand to using a dishwasher depends on both the dishwasher and how you wash the dishes by hand.

6. Load dishes according to manufacturer’s instructions. Completely fill the racks to optimize water and energy use, but allow proper water circulation for adequate cleaning.

Read more: Home, Reduce, Recycle & Reuse

Adapted from Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, by Alex Wilson, Jennifer Thorne, and John Morrill. Copyright (c)1999 by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Reprinted by permission of Chelsea Green Publishing Company.
Adapted from Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, by Alex Wilson, Jennifer Thorne, and John Morrill.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cheryl B.

7:30PM PST on Nov 17, 2011

thanks for the info

send a green star

Michele W.

7:58AM PDT on Jul 14, 2011

Thank you

Jennifer C.

5:28PM PDT on Jun 13, 2011

Great article. Thanks for posting.

Sandra W.

11:01PM PDT on Mar 25, 2011

We have become much more focused on using the food we buy, rather than finding it too late and having to throw it out. It enables us to shop less frequently (reducing consumerism) and minimise waste. I'm a advocate for turning appliances off completely when not in use - this really does save money!

Tim C.

1:04PM PDT on Mar 24, 2011

tks.

Bon L.

4:56AM PDT on Oct 27, 2010

Thanks for the info.

Brian M.

11:03AM PDT on Oct 14, 2010

Another way to save energy and water is to simply commit to not washing oneself one day a week. Most people have at least one day a week when they aren't particularly active and are in no danger of offending others. The truth is most people could easily miss one day of washing a week without even generating any odor at all.

Monique D.

8:20AM PDT on Sep 16, 2010

Thanks for the tips

Patrick W.

8:23AM PDT on Sep 10, 2010

generally wash-up by hand

Janice P.

11:25AM PDT on Sep 8, 2010

I have a dishwasher, but rarely use it. A sinkful of warm, sudsy water is enough for me to get my dishes cleaned.