Most people probably find it hard to imagine a time whendishes had to be washed by hand. Indeed, people have come to love their dishwashers;they are excellent appliances and certainly one of the most convenient piecesof equipment in your home. But with the good comes the bad and despite theirwondrous convenience, they do a great job of making dish cleaning much simpler,dishwashers in fact consume a great deal of energy and use substantial amountsof water. Without a doubt the biggest energy commutator armatures expenditure of most dishwashers comefrom the water heating process. If your dishwasher gets used as frequently asmine and you do not have an efficient model, you are certainly spending toomuch money each month on its operating costs. That being the case, it may betime to consider an energy-efficient dishwasher. To aid consumers in choosing appliances, the United StatesDepartment of Energy has developed a series of standards known as the EnergyStarratings program. Appliances which exhibit above average energy efficiency arelabeled as EnergyStar products, provided they live up the required energystandards as certified by independent third-party testing.
Naturally, choosingan energy-efficient dishwasher starts with locating EnergyStar certifiedproducts. These models typically save significant amounts of energy and alsothey save a lot of water during the cleaning cycle. The EnergyStar panelindicates that dishwashers made prior to 1994 use up to 10 more gallons ofwater per cycle than their more modern and efficient counterparts. Naturally,this translates into increased water costs each and every month. EnergyStarcertified dishwashers also use less energy during the wash cycle, decreasingthe amount of air pollution they produce and further saving customers money ontheir monthly electric bills. Although it is quite obvious that EnergyStar certifiedmodels are more efficient, choosing an energy-efficient dishwasher is stilldependent upon your personal needs and preferences. Some dishwashers aredesignated as compact models. These dishwashers are somewhat smaller, buttheyre reduced size further adds to their efficiency and cost-savings. If yourhousehold can get away with a smaller sized dishwasher, a compact model iscertainly worth consideration. Another feature to look for when choosing an energy-efficientdishwasher is a multiple settings feature. Specifically, the more settings andcycles there are to choose from, the more control you can exercise over yourdishwasher. For example, some energy-efficient dishwashers now have uniquesettings designed specifically for smaller loads.
By utilizing these types offeatures, you can significantly cut back on your energy usage. Furthermore, many people own dishwashers with heat-dryingfeatures. Although effective, this method of drying requires considerableenergy usage. When shopping for an energy-efficient dishwasher, look for modelswhich utilize air drying instead. Finally, many new, energy-efficient dishwashers are nowoutfitted with devices known as booster heaters. These models are able to usewater at up to 20 degrees cooler than normal without sacrificing any cleaningability. Obviously, the less energy used to heat water the better. Keep these tips in mind as you begin the processof choosing an energy-efficient dishwasher. Some dishwashers may boast slightlyhigher price tags, but do not be deterred. The energy savings brought on bythese models quickly outweighs the higher initial investment.