Most homes have a dishwasher, and it is one of the most important kitchen appliances in saving time from household chores. Washing dishes, cutlery, pots, and pans by hand takes those precious moments away from more important stuff and can leave hands rough, cracked, and dry. Washing stacks of dishes by hand can also be wasteful. Studies show that up to 27 gallons of water per load are used. A dishwasher with the certified Energy Star label only uses approximately three gallons for every load. However, you can still waste water and energy if you are not implementing the following tips.
Reduce the Heat
One way to cut down on water and energy use is to lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees. Contemporary dishwashers often feature internal boosters that raise the wash cycle temperature up to 140 degrees. Also, you can push the button for the energy-saving mode, which can conserve 50% of the water and water-heating energy used by other cycles.
Air the Dishes Out
Appliance experts have another tip to save about 15-50% on dishwasher operational cost: Choose the air-dry cycle feature. On an older dishwasher, open your machine to allow your dishes to air dry before the dry cycle comes on.
Scrape It Off Instead
Avoid pre-rinsing your load of dishes and cutlery in the sink, and just scrape off the leftover food. Most efficient dishwashers today are designed to remove smaller pieces of food left after the big pieces are scraped off.
Don’t Overload It
Placing too many dishes into your unit can sometimes result in a dishwasher leak. This causes water to travel to the bottom of the tank and splashes out under the door.
Use Less Dishwasher Soap
Going beyond the recommended dishwashing soap/detergent amount is another common habit that can lead to problems. It can cause a buildup in the machine, which can affect its performance and strain components like the pump/motor assembly and spray arm.
If you run out of dishwasher detergent, resist the urge to use regular dish soap. It creates excessive suds that can overflow from the machine, leak out the door, and potentially damage internal components.
Invest in a Power Surge Protector
When a power surge occurs, it can wipe out your dishwasher and other favorite appliances. Buying a surge protector device can save you money should the electrical system in your home go awry during a weather event, power outage, overloaded circuits, etc.
Sometimes, appliances run into problems despite best efforts. If you reside in beautiful Rochester, MN, and need some repairs and cost-effective solutions from a professional team, contact Rochester Appliance Service for the best in dishwasher services.
