At a Glance:
Tip 2: Know How to Use Your Dishwasher
Tip 3: Invest in a Large Dishwasher You Load Completely
Tip 4: Look for Air-Dry Options
Homeowners are more concerned about energy efficiency than ever. Some people are concerned about the human impact on the environment, while others simply want to lower their electric bills. After all, even a few dollars in savings each month can have a big impact at the end of the year.
Small actions add up, which means you might not need to make big changes in your home to lower your water and electricity costs. Savings could be as simple as changing how you wash your dishes. The trick is learning how to use dishwasher machines more efficiently to save energy and water. Follow these steps to optimize how you wash your dishes.
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Conquer dish care efficiently and effectively with eco-friendly dishwashers from East Coast Appliance's large selection
Shop NowTip 1: Stop Pre-Washing
To answer the question, “Do dishwashers save water?”: absolutely. Studies show that dishwashers use a sixth of the amount of water each year that hand washing dishes requires. For an ENERGY STAR dishwasher, that equates to about three gallons of water total to clean your dishes while the average sink uses 2.2 gallons of water—per minute. That adds up.
One of the best adjustments you can make to know how to use a dishwasher efficiently is to stop pre-washing your dishes. You don’t have to wash away sauces and bits of food—most modern dishwashers are designed to do that for you, and dishwasher detergents actually need food residue to perform better.
Simply scrape away any residual food globs, and place the dirty dishes inside the dishwasher. Even if you choose a dishwasher eco-setting, a good dishwashing machine should still be able to remove stuck-on food (as long as you don’t forget detergent).
Tip 2: Know How to Use Dishwasher Machines
Many homeowners think they know how to use a dishwasher, but there are cycles and features that they have never explored. For example, if you your models has a dishwasher quick cycle wash setting, you can reduce the amount of time and energy for a load, often down to an hour or less. You can also use the dishwasher delay start option to make sure you run your dishwasher at time slots that are more efficient.
No worries if you happened to toss or misplace your current model’s manual. Most dishwasher manufacturers have digital manuals available online that users can look up based on the model number.
Tip 3: Invest in a Large Dishwasher You Load Completely
Many dishwasher tips focus on reducing waste, but that isn’t always possible when you have a large family or invite friends over for dinner. Instead, it might be more beneficial to invest in a large-capacity dishwasher that you can pack full of plates, utensils, and cookware. That way, you can wash fewer loads altogether.
For example, if your dishwasher can only hold 10 place settings, you might need to run it two or three times after you have visitors over. If it can hold 16 place settings, you have much more room and will require fewer cycles.
Tip 4: Look for Air-Dry Options
Finally, as you learn how to use dishwasher models, keep in mind you can also take advantage of more efficient drying options. Look into dishwasher heat vs air dry cycles. While a heated cycle is ideal if you are in a hurry, air-dry options are more efficient. Some dishwashers even have doors that pop open when the cycle is done to start air drying.
Consider running your dishwasher overnight or while you are at work so your cookware can air-dry while you are away. Your dishes will be dry and cool to the touch by the time you need them.
Top Energy-Saving Dishwashers
Even with these tips, older dishwashers aren’t as efficient as newer models. Consider upgrading your old appliance to a water efficient dishwasher that has the bonus features you need. Here are five recommended energy efficient dishwashers you can find at East Coast Appliance.
Café™ 24" Stainless Steel Drawer Dishwasher
Shop This Set of Cafe Dishwasher Drawers
With just one glance, you can immediately see why this is considered an eco dishwasher. There are two separate compartments that allow you to run your dishes on different cycles. You can choose a light cycle for your glassware on top and opt for a heavier cycle for pots and pans on the bottom. You can also choose to run only one section at a time, cutting your water use in half. Despite its layout, this dishwasher duo still provides 14 place settings, or enough dish loading capacity to keep up with the dish cleaning demands of a standard-size household.
Featured Cafe drawer dishwasher review: “Love that I can fill up one drawer, run it and put dishes in the other as I need it. Dishes do not pile up in the sink because the dishwasher is running.”
GE® 24" Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This GE Stainless Steel Dishwasher
An energy efficient dishwasher can also help you make good choices for the environment. This model has bottle jets that will wash your reusable bottles to encourage users to cut back on plastic waste and prevents you from spending money on single-use bottles. This is a highly-rated dishwasher with more than 4,000 reviews. Additionally, users can select independent wash zones that allow either the upper or lower portion to wash, reducing water waste if you have to run a smaller load.
Featured GE GDT645SSNSS dishwasher review: “This machine does a great cleaning job. I do not rinse. I put dishes directly into the washer. They come out squeaky clean.”
Frigidaire® 24'' Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This Frigidaire Dishwasher
This economical dishwashing machine comes with multiple features that reduce energy use. For example, you can opt for the energy-save dry option which removes water without heat. This reduces the electricity requirements to complete the cycle, meaning this is an air dry dishwasher that won’t use additional energy on a built-in heating element to dry your dishes. If a low-cost dishwasher that keeps saving after you purchase it sounds enticing, this Frigidaire dishwasher air dry and eco settings might be the right solution.
Featured Frigidaire FDPC4221AS review: “[The] unit came with our new house, wasn't sure at first, but we have found we really like this dishwasher, easy to operate, and really quiet.”
Bosch 800 Series 24" Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Bosch is a trusted brand with kitchen appliances and its dishwashers don’t disappoint. There are multiple dishwasher settings on this model, so you can choose the most environmentally-friendly options for your home. Choose between six dishwasher cycles depending on how full and how dirty your dishes are. This unit comes with PrecisionWash™ intelligent sensors that identify when dishes are clean, completing the cycle the moment it’s clean instead of wasting water. We also like the 24-hour delay setting that users can set to program when their local energy ratings are at their lowest.
Featured Bosch SHPM88Z75N review: “We can fit way more dishes compared to the old dishwasher. We also don't have to preclean the dishes before going into the washer which is nice. I definitely think it's worth the money spent!”
Miele 24" Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher
Miele is a German brand that is growing in popularity across the United States. This is a premium dishwasher that was designed with storage in mind, which means users can load full sinks of dishes in one go rather than multiple cycles. Along with a cutlery tray, there is a comfort basket that can hold awkwardly shaped items that you normally struggle to place in the dishwasher. This can reduce the amount of hand washing you do. There is also a dishwasher half-load cycle that automatically reduces your water and energy consumption—all with Miele’s quality engineering built to last at least 20 years of use, so you’ll also save on replacements.
Once you know how to reduce your waste and maximize your efficiency, you can reap the benefits of a well-run dishwasher. If you want to upgrade your model to a more efficient unit, check out the dishwashers at East Coast Appliance. See which models are currently in stock so you can buy an Energy Star certified dishwasher today.
FAQs
Store these expert tips on how to use dishwasher in your think bank for the next time you’re shopping for an efficient dishwasher.
What is an Energy Star dishwasher?
A dishwasher that is Energy Star certified means it exceeds expectations for both water and electricity consumption. You will require less energy and produce less waste by purchasing one of these appliances.
What is the water consumption of an Energy Star dishwasher vs regular?
It is worth it to buy an Energy Star dishwasher if you want to reduce your water consumption. Energy Star dishwashers can save homeowners an average of 3,870 gallons of water over their lifetimes. Many Energy Star dishwashers cost the same as standard models, so you directly benefit from the savings.
How much energy does a dishwasher use?
Most dishwashers use around 1.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per cycle, which is considered low compared to other appliances. The average cost of electricity in the United States is $0.13 per kWh. This means you spend about $0.24 of electricity to wash your dishes. Keep in mind that this doesn’t factor in water usage, which has its own costs.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Dishwashers at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop dishwashers online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you learn how to use dishwasher machines effectively, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
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