You might think dishwashers use a large amount of water, but in fact on average dishwashers use as little as 1/10 the water of traditional handwashing. A lot of people make the common mistake of pre-washing dishes before using the dishwasher, but this is not needed. In fact, you can actually get a better clean without pre-washing as this gives the detergent something to cling on to!
Why can’t I find any A+ rated dishwashers?
Since November 2020, energy labels have started to change from the old A+++ to D scale to an easier to use A to G scale. This system has been fully in place since March 1st 2021. This makes comparison much easier, as most contemporary appliances had very high ratings on the old scale. Because of this, most current efficient appliances will have a B or C rating according to the new scale, meaning manufacturers have scope to make improvements in the future. So don’t worry if you can’t find any A rated appliances, B or C is considered very efficient.
How much energy does a dishwasher use?
The main factor affecting how much energy a dishwasher uses is its efficiency rating (see above), as well as wash length and temperature. With this in mind, on average, dishwashers rated between B and F cost roughly between £42 and £54 a year to run. Another factor as stated above is the decrease in water usage. Some say that hand washing accounts for around 4% of the average household's water usage, while a dishwasher only uses 1%. Most dishwashers have an eco function, but we also recommend waiting before your dishwasher is full before running a cycle.
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