Don’t let your dishwasher RINSE you

Brits can save money by increasing dishwasher efficiency

Homeowners are being warned their dishwasher could be adding hundreds of pounds to energy bills.

Energy experts from Quotezone.co.uk are urging Brits to ensure they are using their dishwashers effectively and say investing in an energy efficient machine could save them significant cash in the long run.

They estimate any appliance 10 years or older may be contributing to unjustifiably high energy bills while also being far less environmentally friendly. 

By making the switch to a more efficient dishwasher, homeowners can save more than £200 over the lifespan of their machine.*

Homeowners with newer machines are also being given advice on ways to optimise their green performance, including putting a stop to pre-washing dirty dishes. 

A common misconception among many is that handwashing is more budget savvy than turning on the dishwasher. 

However, recent research reveals even the least energy efficient appliances on the market use up to ten times less water than hand washing.**

Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, Greg Wilson, said: “Many homeowners are facing frustrations with their monthly energy bills and searching for ways to cut costs. 

“Although switching to an eco-friendly machine is an investment upfront, it can save families hundreds of pounds and also help reduce their carbon footprint. 

Here are Quotezone.co.uk’s top tips for using your machine as efficiently as possible:

1.Buying a new machine: what to look for 

If in the market for a newer and more efficient appliance, pay attention to the efficiency scale. Dishwashers are labelled on an efficiency scale from A-G (changed from the A+++ rating scheme in March 2021) which is displayed on the front of the machine. 

If you are looking to upgrade your appliance, search for dishwashers with an A rating. This ensures maximum efficiency as they are specifically designed to use less water and energy in the washing cycle.

2. Stop pre-washing

Many people believe pre-washing their dirty dishes before placing them into the dishwasher is the best way to make sure their plates are squeaky clean. However, this does not have any benefit for the dishes, simply scrape any leftover food ahead of putting plates in the machine to help avoid unnecessary water usage. 

3. Eco settings

Anyone with a slightly older machine should make sure when washing a load of particularly dirty items such as pots and pans, that the machine is switched to an eco setting. The energy efficient mode on modern machines uses less energy by heating the water slowly over a longer period of time. Older machines or non-efficient modes retrieve hot water directly from the mains which requires far more energy and can add significantly to monthly costs. 

4. Wait for the machine to be full 

Your dishwasher should always be full before running a wash. Running a half-full machine means half your appliance’s energy and water is being wasted, but still contributing to bills. For smaller families with larger machines concerned about unwanted smells from the unwashed plates, run a short rinse cycle to freshen things up. 

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year find savings on household bills and essentials, including niche items such as home insurance,  landlord insurance and student contents insurance. 

References: 

* https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/energy-label-and-ecodesign/energy-efficient-products/dishwashers_en#:~:text=Rules%20on%20ecodesign%20household%20dishwashers,EU)%20No%201016%2F2010

**https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/which-research-reveals-how-little-water-dishwashers-use-compared-to-hand-washing-aUDng9Y2iK8E