April 2006
Dishwashers must meet stricter Energy-Star standard
But Consumer Reports energy tests are still tougher
When it comes to efficient dishwashers, earning an Energy Star label is about to get tougher. As of Jan. 1, 2007, Energy Star-rated dishwashers must be a minimum of 41 percent more efficient than federal energy standards, up from the previous 25 percent requirement. According to the Department of Energy, the new dishwasher energy standard could save American families more than $26 million dollars a year, as well as 160 million kilowatt hours of energy per year--enough to light every household in Washington, D.C., for six months.
Despite the increased energy standard, Consumer Reports won't change the way we rate energy use by dishwashers. Dishwashers that receive high efficiency scores in our ongoing Ratings and recommendations (available to subscribers) do so by conquering tests tougher than those that have Energy Star labels, even those models that will meet the new standard. To test the efficiency of soil sensors, which detect dish debris and adjust wash cycles accordingly, dishwasher manufacturers are required to test a mix of heavily, moderately, and lightly soiled dishes. In the Consumer Reports test labs, we go beyond the "worst-case scenario"--loading dishwashers with a full load of very dirty dishes.
As our Ratings show, you don't need to pay top price to get great energy efficiency. Most of the tested dishwashers excelled at cleaning dried-on peanut butter, eggs, spinach, brownie mix, and other post-meal messes. While you'll typically pay more for folding racks and other flexible-loading features, some of the tested models offer them for far less than others. Indeed, several high-scoring models cost roughly $500, rather than $800 or more.
Even if you're not in the market for a new dishwasher, you can save time and money, as well as helping the environment, by following our tips:
Don't wash dishes by hand. An efficient dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand, no matter how frugal you are at the faucet. If you don' t like leaving dirty dishes around between washing, run the dishwasher's rinse-and-hold cycle, which uses only about 2 gallons of water compared with 4 gallons typical for hand-washing.
Don't prerinse your load. Unnecessary rinsing can waste nearly 20 gallons of water per load. That comes to some 6,500 gallons per household per year if you use your dishwasher almost daily. Our tests have shown that most dishwashers can handle even the dirtiest dishes. So instead of prerinsing your dinnerware, simply scrape off the excess food, load everything into your dishwasher, and let the machine do the rest of the work.
Use rinse aids and enzyme-based detergents. Both tend to yield cleaner results. Rinse aids reduce spotting, while enzyme-based detergents help dissolve food starches and proteins. For more information, see our latest report on dishwasher detergents
Load dishes efficiently. Check user manuals for loading tips specific to your model. Some general tips include placing the heavily soiled side of dishes toward the center of the machine for better exposure to the spray. Keep large items at the sides and back so they don't prevent the water spray from reaching the detergent dispenser. Also don't let dishes or utensils nest, or rest side by side too tightly, which can prevent water from reaching all surfaces.
Those are some of the ways in which you can save energy and help the environment. Go to www.GreenerChoices.org for more.
But Consumer Reports energy tests are still tougher
When it comes to efficient dishwashers, earning an Energy Star label is about to get tougher. As of Jan. 1, 2007, Energy Star-rated dishwashers must be a minimum of 41 percent more efficient than federal energy standards, up from the previous 25 percent requirement. According to the Department of Energy, the new dishwasher energy standard could save American families more than $26 million dollars a year, as well as 160 million kilowatt hours of energy per year--enough to light every household in Washington, D.C., for six months.
Despite the increased energy standard, Consumer Reports won't change the way we rate energy use by dishwashers. Dishwashers that receive high efficiency scores in our ongoing Ratings and recommendations (available to subscribers) do so by conquering tests tougher than those that have Energy Star labels, even those models that will meet the new standard. To test the efficiency of soil sensors, which detect dish debris and adjust wash cycles accordingly, dishwasher manufacturers are required to test a mix of heavily, moderately, and lightly soiled dishes. In the Consumer Reports test labs, we go beyond the "worst-case scenario"--loading dishwashers with a full load of very dirty dishes.
As our Ratings show, you don't need to pay top price to get great energy efficiency. Most of the tested dishwashers excelled at cleaning dried-on peanut butter, eggs, spinach, brownie mix, and other post-meal messes. While you'll typically pay more for folding racks and other flexible-loading features, some of the tested models offer them for far less than others. Indeed, several high-scoring models cost roughly $500, rather than $800 or more.
Even if you're not in the market for a new dishwasher, you can save time and money, as well as helping the environment, by following our tips:
Don't wash dishes by hand. An efficient dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand, no matter how frugal you are at the faucet. If you don' t like leaving dirty dishes around between washing, run the dishwasher's rinse-and-hold cycle, which uses only about 2 gallons of water compared with 4 gallons typical for hand-washing.
Don't prerinse your load. Unnecessary rinsing can waste nearly 20 gallons of water per load. That comes to some 6,500 gallons per household per year if you use your dishwasher almost daily. Our tests have shown that most dishwashers can handle even the dirtiest dishes. So instead of prerinsing your dinnerware, simply scrape off the excess food, load everything into your dishwasher, and let the machine do the rest of the work.
Use rinse aids and enzyme-based detergents. Both tend to yield cleaner results. Rinse aids reduce spotting, while enzyme-based detergents help dissolve food starches and proteins. For more information, see our latest report on dishwasher detergents
(available to subscribers)
Load dishes efficiently. Check user manuals for loading tips specific to your model. Some general tips include placing the heavily soiled side of dishes toward the center of the machine for better exposure to the spray. Keep large items at the sides and back so they don't prevent the water spray from reaching the detergent dispenser. Also don't let dishes or utensils nest, or rest side by side too tightly, which can prevent water from reaching all surfaces.
Those are some of the ways in which you can save energy and help the environment. Go to www.GreenerChoices.org for more.
