Energy Efficient Dishwashers

If you still wash dishes by hand, here is some good news: energy efficient dishwashers save more money, water and energy than the manual route. Add your time to that, and you have four great reasons to invest in a new dishwasher.

If you aren't buying new, here's how to make your dishwasher more energy efficient:

Air Dry
Turn off the dryer on the dishwasher. Many dishwashers have a built in fan. Use this instead or crack the machine and let the dishes air dry.

Check the Hot Water Heater
Make sure the temperature on the water heater isn't too high. If it's set too high, the dishwashing unit will use it. For the most energy efficient hot water heater, set the temperature to 120 degrees.

Fully Loaded
Wait until the dishwasher is full before running the machine. Be careful not to overload. All of the dishes may not be clean, forcing dishes to be washed twice.

Rinse & Clean with Vinegar
Every few months, add vinegar to the rinse cycle. (Be sure to check your owner's manual first). Run the dishwasher while it's empty and do not add soap. This removes soap residue and hard water build up. It may seem wasteful to run it on empty, but this maintenance should prolong the life of the dishwasher.

Skip the Pre-Rinse
If you recently bought an energy efficient dishwasher, don't pre-rinse the dishes. Newer models, particularly Energy Star dishwashers, are equipped to handle leftover crumbs. Scrape food off dishes instead.

Switch Soap
We recently discovered that gel tablets don't work well with our particular type of dishwasher. The serviceman recommended powdered detergents, followed by liquid. This especially applies to those that have hard water. For detergents that are easier on the planet and your dishwasher, see our homemade dishwasher soap recipes.

Watch for Soap Overload
Too much soap can damage the dishwasher. Check your manual for the appropriate amount. Plan to adjust recommended levels for hard and soft water.