February 2, 2023 – Dishwashers work miracles! They rinse, dry, sanitize and so much more. Even better than the bells and whistles of today’s dishwashers is the time savings they provide. They also save water and electricity. But if you aren’t using your dishwasher wisely, this convenience could cost you! According to LCEC energy experts, the average dishwasher costs $0.32 a load. Granted this isn’t a large amount, but depending on how much you run your dishwasher, this could add up quickly. Consider the following to make the most out of each cycle while saving money on your electric bill:
-Use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible.
-If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees. Most dishwashers have built-in heaters to boost the water temp up to 140-145 degrees.
-Resist the temptation to pre-rinse dishes. Dishwashers today do a thorough job of cleaning. Just scrape off the excess food and let the dishwasher do the rest. Dishwashers use between 8 to 14 gallons of water per load so save water and electricity by not pre-rinsing.
-Wash only full loads and refrain from hand washing dishes throughout the day. It’s cheaper to put the dishes in the dishwasher and wash them all at once.
-Load the dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to fill the racks to maximize energy and water use, but make sure you leave enough room for the water to circulate.
For more energy tips, visit lcec.net.