An Energy Efficient Dishwasher Is The Greenest Way To Do Dishes

You probably all know by now that I am into green living ideas. I like finding ways to go green that are easy for me to incorporate and I like learning and sharing eco-friendly tips. Well, when I was researching washing dishes the greener way and how to save water and energy, I was was amazed to find that TreeHugger said built in dishwashers are more efficient that hand washing dishes. Here are all the details you may want to know about dish washing and how much energy and money an energy efficient dishwasher can save.

The Most Eco-Friendly Way To Wash Dishes

Since starting to use my dishwasher, I have been hankering after a new Energy Star Qualified Dishwasher. Why? First of all, Energy Star qualified dishwashers are, of course, more efficient- in both water and energy usage. But how much more efficient is a new Energy Star Dishwasher than an old dishwasher? Well according to Home Water Works, if your dishwasher was made before 1994, then it is probably using over 15 gallons of water per load (and it takes a lot of energy to heat those 15 gallons) whereas an Energy Star dishwasher will only use between 6-4 gallons of water per load- equating to a $40 a year difference on your utility bills!

If you are thinking, yes but how does a dishwasher compare to hand washing dishes, well washing a load of dishes can uses about 20 gallons of water. So you can see that an energy efficiency dishwasher saves a ton of water and energy per load. If you do several loads a week, that savings really adds up. An energy efficient dishwasher is the best way to do dishes.

A Few Extra Dishwasher Eco Tips

Now that you know that a dishwasher is more efficient than hand washing dishes and just how much more efficient a energy star dishwasher can be, here are few extra dishwasher eco tips to help you make the most of your dishwasher. Even energy efficient dishwashers can be utilized to most eco-friendly.

Wash Full Loads– wait till it is full to run so that you minimize loads
Don’t Pre Wash– let the dishwasher do the cleaning and don’t waste “rinse water” (do still discard food scraps first)
Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Detergent–  it really works every bit as well and is way better for environment

Energy Star Dishwasher Features To Look For

If you are looking for the most energy efficient dishwashers, look for the Energy Star certification. An energy star dishwasher is not only a greener way to wash dishes, but they also have many more great features you will enjoy. ENERGY STAR certified models include several new innovations.

A few cool dishwasher features to look for:

These energy efficient dishwashers have soil sensors, improved water filtration, and more efficient jets. This means cleaner dishes while using less water.

The energy efficient dish washer features new dish rack designs that reduce energy and water consumption while improving performance. 

The Energy Star Dishwasher offers a NSF® Certified Sanitize rinse which works to eliminate 99% of food soil bacteria.

The energy efficient dishwasher has a durable stainless steel interior and liner which guards against damage and cleans well.

Multi-positional and Fold-down tines which can be configured to create the best fit for differently shaped cups, glasses, or bowls.  Just think how many more dishes can fit in at once!

Washing Dishes The Greener Way

Did you know that a standard-sized ENERGY STAR dishwasher costs can save you about 3,800 gallons of water over its lifetime? Impressive! Washing dishes the greener way sounds good to me! How about you? Which dishwasher eco tips and facts were you surprised to learn?

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