Buying a Dishwasher

by Murray Anderson

If the dishwasher in your home has been around for a few years and starting to look its age, you might want to consider replacing it with an Energy Star rated model. Any appliance with the energy Star label on it conforms to very strict Government guidelines in regard to the amount of energy it uses. Energy Star standards vary depending on the type of appliance being certified, but a qualified dishwasher uses at least 41 per cent less energy that the federal minimum standard for energy consumption. It also uses substantially less water than conventional models, not only saving you money but at the same time helping protect the environment.

It’s estimated that by upgrading to a new Energy Star dishwasher you could save over $30 a year in energy costs and approximately $90 in hot water over the dishwasher’s life span. When you consider a mid range dishwasher can be purchased for $400 to $500, you can see how that new dishwasher can more than pay for itself in just a few years. Plus, with energy prices are going up not down, an economic payback could come much sooner than you think.

Things To Consider When Buying a Dishwasher

Obviously, start by choosing an Energy Star certified model and be sure to check out the yellow Energuide label as well. This little label has valuable information on it that you can use to compare different dishwasher models. Information such as

Estimated annual energy consumption of the dishwasher. The lower the number the less energy the dishwasher uses so the higher the savings on energy.
An energy consumption bar on the label shows how this model’s energy consumption compares to others in the same class of appliances. The further the arrow is to the left end of the scale, the less energy it uses and the lower its operating costs will be.
The label also shows the energy consumption of the most and least energy efficient appliances in this class, so you can get a feel for the relative energy efficiency of any dishwasher you’re considering.

When choosing your new dishwasher remember, there is a fairly direct connection between features and the price of a dishwasher, so if you won’t use certain options, why buy them.

Some Features You Might Want To Consider...

Most dishwashers do a good job of cleaning dishes, but they do it better when using hot water. Look for a model that can heat water well above the temperature your hot water tank delivers.
Adjustable and fold down racks make the interior more adaptable for large items like bowls or pots or pans. However if you don’t often cook for large groups, the option may not be worth its cost to you. Fixed racks that can accommodate your standard load of dishes may be all what you want.
Half load cycles that allow you to wash just one rack at a time sound like a good idea. However, in reality washing two half loads will use more water and energy that washing a single full load and the single rack will also limit your ability to load different sized dishes effectively.
Multiple cycles designed to accommodate various types of dishes such as china, pots and pans and good crystal make any dishwasher more useful.
If you plan to use your dishwasher only every two or three days, consider a rinse and hold feature that will rinse your dishes but not wash them. This means your dishes are out of sight and easy to clean when you do turn on your dishwasher.
Time of day and day of week electrical rates are common in many areas. Including an adjustable delay start timer on your dishwasher will allow you to set your dishwasher to turn on in the middle of the night when electricity rates are lower, saving you money.
A useful feature appearing on many newer models is a ‘fuzzy logic’ sensor that allows the dishwasher to actually determine how dirty your dishes are and adjust the wash cycle accordingly saving you both hot water and electricity.

Some Final Thoughts on Dishwashers

A fully loaded dishwasher actually uses less hot water than hand washing the same quantity of dishes. Don’t be afraid to turn your dishwasher on – just make sure it’s full before running the wash cycle.
A good indicator of dish cleaning capability is the size of the holes in the spray arms. The smaller the holes, the more concentrated the spray will be and the better the model will clean your dishes.
Check the cycle times (washing and drying times) of dishwashers you’re considering. Cycle times can vary from 80 minutes all the way up to 2 and a half hours. However, longer cycle times (along with higher energy consumption) don’t necessarily mean cleaner dishes.
Consider using enzyme based detergents and rinse aids in your new dishwasher. These phosphate free options will clean your dishes without harming the environment since they won’t put phosphates into the water table.