How to save water while using a dishwasher

Water consumption is a growing concern in the UK. Not just for all of us from an environmental perspective, but also an infrastructure and financial perspective, too. It’s something that can affect our lives, our budget and our environments. Increasingly, it’s likely we are going to be asked – at times – to reduce our water loads.

One way to do this is via energy-efficient appliances. Alongside washing machines, dishwashers are one of the biggest guzzlers of not just water in the household, but energy, too. So finding ways to save how much water is used every time you turn the dishwasher on is key.

We’ve put together a guide full of useful tips to help save you on water usage that will hopefully not only give you a financial boost, but will help you to reduce your footprint on the environment.

Dishwashers ARE energy efficient

Before you start moving that dishwasher out, on the assumption that hand washing would surely be more effective, we’re here to dispel that notion. It’s likely that the heating element in your dishwasher is newer and more efficient than your water heater. Most modern dishwashers having heating elements inside them to heat the water. So they can actually be very energy efficient compared to hand-washing – many newer models of dishwashers are more energy efficient than hand-washing.

1. Only do full loads and use eco-cycles

While the above can be true, it certainly helps when you only run full loads in the dishwasher. This is far more efficient for water, energy and even detergent usage. Your dishwasher may also have a water-saving/eco cycle to help save water, energy and money. This is far better to use than half-load options. That’s because these half-load options still use more water than full loads when added up. However, this may be more effective depending on whether or not you are living alone or with a family.

2. Skip pre-rinsing

We are often tempted to pre-rinse dishes but this is not necessarily very energy efficient. Many modern dishwashers come with a pre-rinse cycle and this is likely to be far more energy and water efficient than your efforts. Instead, you could use cutlery to gently remove debris or even wet a damp cloth or sponge and give each dish a wipe. This way you’re minimising your water usage. However, it’s best to know what your dishwasher can handle in terms of stains and debris. Sometimes, you may have to give certain plates or leftovers a rinse.

3. Load your dishwasher right

We did say fully load your dishwasher, didn’t we? Well, don’t overfill it – as that can cause items not to be cleaned properly, too. You can reduce the chances that this happens by loading larger items towards the sides or the backs of racks. Larger items – such as plates – at the front can actually block the water from reaching the detergent. All of this can lead to you either having to run another wash or do a hand-wash – thus wasting more water.

4. Pick the right dishwasher

Another way to save water is by selecting a dishwasher with a great water and energy efficiency. You will find this on the labels of dishwashers in showrooms or within the descriptions of dishwashers within online store fronts. You may find either EU or UK labels, however both feature fairly similar stats – including the energy rating, annual energy consumption, annual water consumption and the decibel levels of dishwashers.

5. Let them air dry

Those looking to save water will usually be looking to save energy, too. So here’s an extra tip for you: when the wash cycle is done, simply open the dishwasher door and let your dishes air dry. This will save the electric heat and fan having to work which will, of course, burn away your increasingly precious energy. While roughly 80% of a dishwasher’s energy output is spent on heating the water, that’s still about 15-20% of the energy saved on a cycle every time you use the dishwasher.

Worried about your dishwasher’s efficiency? Get in touch with Repair Aid

If you’re worried about the efficiency of your dishwasher, particularly if it’s older, get in touch with our customer service team at Repair Aid to book a repair appointment. It’s likely that your dishwasher may have faulty or old parts that are reducing the water and energy efficiency of your appliance. Our professional and experienced engineers will diagnose the problem and get your dishwasher working at peak efficiency again.