Dishwashers: A Guide to ENERGY STAR

When it comes to reducing our overall energy demand, most people focus on the electricity “hogs,” such as air conditioning units, central furnaces, and water heaters. While those three appliances typically account for over half of our household energy consumption, we would never want to overlook an opportunity to cut back on our energy consumption.

So, what about those dishwashers we use to save precious time washing dishes? In 2017, 73 percent of all U.S. households owned a dishwasher. Most dishwashers are relatively low-energy consumers as they consume between 1,200 and 2,400 watts of energy. However, ENERGY STAR dishwashers can cut back on the amount of energy and water you use to do the dishes.

What Is An ENERGY STAR Dishwasher?

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed labeling program that helps homeowners and businesses save money, limit their energy use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They identify buildings, office equipment, home appliances, and electronics that have superior energy efficiency.

According to the ENERGY STAR website, over 60 percent of electricity in the United States is produced by burning coal and natural gas. These production methods release greenhouse gases and other air pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and air quality problems. ENERGY STAR-certified dishwashers use less energy than conventional models, helping reduce air pollution and protecting the climate. By reducing water consumption, ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers also help protect our lakes, streams, and oceans.”

ENERGY STAR dishwashers do more than certify the dishwashers that use the least amount of energy. They also include advanced technologies that reduce energy and water consumption while simultaneously improving how your dishes get cleaned.

Soil sensors are included in many of the best ENERGY STAR dishwashers to “test” your dishes' dirtiness throughout the wash cycle. The dishwasher will then adjust the cycle based on how clean your dishes are, minimizing water and energy use. A load of lightly soiled plates and silverware will take much less time to wash than a bunch of greasy pots and pans.

Improved water filtration technologies help the machine remove the food soils from the wash water. This reduces the amount of detergent needed to get your dishes clean. Also, ultra-efficient water jets are designed to use a minimum amount of energy to spray soap and water on the dishes during the wash cycle. Even innovative dish rack designs can improve the machine's cleaning ability through the strategic placement of different types of dishes.

How Much Can an ENERGY STAR Dishwasher Save You?

A new ENERGY STAR-certified dishwasher will save, on average, 3,870 gallons of water over its lifetime. For households that rely on greywater recycling systems or who have introduced a backyard, constructed wetland, the reduced greywater flow from your dishwasher can allow for better management of the system.

ENERGY STAR-rated dishwashers can also save on the amount of electricity used to wash your dishes. The top-rated dishwashers use between 199 and 220 kilowatts hours (kWh) of electricity per year when averaging 215 loads per year (which equates to about four loads per week). A standard-sized ENERGY STAR-certified dishwasher costs about $35 per year to operate in economic terms, averaging between 1,000 and 1,200 watts. More inefficient options can often use upwards of 2,400 watts. According to this energy use calculator, a standard 2,400-watt dishwasher used one hour per day could cost you about $105 per year (at an average electricity price of $0.12 per kWh). So, homeowners could expect to save around $70 per year by upgrading to a more efficient dishwasher.

Almost all energy efficiency household upgrades have the advantage of paying for themselves over time through savings on your utility bills. The combined electricity and water savings of ENERGY STAR dishwashers follow this pattern.

Portable Countertop vs. Built-In Dishwasher

There are primarily two different types of dishwashers on the market: portable and built-in models.

What Is a Built-in Dishwasher?

Built-in dishwashers are permanently installed into your kitchen, which means that if you are selling your home, the dishwasher is left behind. Whereas integrated models have a separate plumbing connection, portable or freestanding models will connect to your kitchen sink faucet.

What Is a Countertop Dishwashers

Countertop dishwashers are smaller models that are placed near your sink and work well for small loads. These options are an excellent choice for people who live in tiny homes or small apartments and don’t have space to store a larger, portable model. Generally speaking, portable dishwashers (especially countertop models) have less advanced features. Typically only built-in models offer advanced cleaning technologies such as specialized wash cycles and targeted jets.

Natural Dishwasher Detergent and Cleaner

One negative environmental impact of washing dishes that people rarely consider is what happens once the dirty dishwasher goes down the drain. Most commercial dishwasher detergents contain large amounts of phosphates. If large quantities of phosphates enter bodies of water, this can cause algal blooms that negatively affect aquatic and marine life.

There are several natural dishwasher detergents and cleaners on the market today. These biodegradable soaps and detergents are great options for people connected to municipal sewer systems or who have septic systems or greywater recycling operations on their properties.

Examples of natural dishwater detergents and cleaners available include:

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent is entirely free of all fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and chlorine bleach and is 78 percent bio-based according to USDA certification. The single-dose packs allow you to throw one packet into your dishwasher to get the job done.

EcoVer Dishwasher Tabs

EcoVer also produces single-use dishwasher tablets that have no dyes, fragrances, or chlorine. These tabs are also 100 percent biodegradable and phosphate-free.

Biokleen Dishwasher Detergent

Biokleen dish powder and liquids are highly concentrated and non-toxic. Biokleen gets extra sustainability points from its wind power purchase for all of its manufacturing and office energy needs.

Homemade Dishwasher Pods

Crafty homeowners can also make their dishwasher pods for an inexpensive, healthy, and easier-on-the-environment alternative. These pods can be made from materials found at almost any supermarket.

How Do You Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods?

One simple, natural, DIY dishwasher pod recipe requires only baking soda, salt, distilled vinegar, and a bit of natural dish soap.

1. Mix one cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of salt, add two teaspoons of all-natural dish soap and vinegar to moisten the mix.
2. When the mixture is solid enough to hold together, pack the mix into a plastic ice cube tray and let it dry in a warm spot in your kitchen.
3. After 24-48 hours, the pods will have hardened in the ice cube tray mold, and you can store them for future use.
4. Take out a pod, and add it to the dishwasher when ready to wash your dishes.

Top 3 Dishwashers

There are hundreds of dishwashers on the market today, making it difficult for homeowners to know which is the most energy and water-efficient. Below, we pick three of the best dishwashers based on a variety of sustainability criteria.

Most Energy Efficient Dishwasher - Miele G 6880 SCVi

The Miele G 6880 SCVi is a full-sized built-in dishwasher that only uses 199 kWh per year based on an average of 4 weekly wash cycles. This product includes several advanced features, including EcoTech Heat Storage, a MaxiComfort basket design, AutoSensor technology, and eleven wash programs. It costs $1,999, making it a more expensive option.

Most Water Efficient Dishwasher - Beko DDT36430

The Beko DDT36430 is one of the most water-efficient dishwashers on the market, using only 2.36 gallons of water per cycle—significantly less than other ENERGY STAR certified options. This stainless steel dishwasher comes with active ventilation drying, an LED Spot, and three-position upper racks. This unit currently costs $1050. 

Most Efficient Dishwasher for a Budget - Whirlpool Front Control Built-in

This Whirlpool Front Control Built-in Tall Tub Dishwasher offers name-brand recognition at an affordable price. This ENERGY STAR dishwasher currently costs $521 at Home Depot and comes with two spray arms that shoot water under each rack to break down food and provide a thorough cleaning.

So, if you are building new or renovating your kitchen, don’t just consider your new dishwasher's size and aesthetics. Choose an ENERGY STAR dishwasher—the label not only does not cost extra, but it will also save you money.