True or False: Does washing dishes by hand save both energy and water?

This is false.

It may be hard to believe that using a dishwasher is more energy-efficient than washing dishes by hand with hot water, but it’s true.  A new ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher saves nearly 5,000 gallons of water a year and uses less than half as much energy than washing dishes by hand, which can help cut energy bills by more than $40 a year.

Get 230 hours back. Save on elbow grease and time. New ENERGY STAR qualified models include innovations, like soil sensors, improved water filtrations, efficient jets, better dish rack designs, that help maximize efficient cleaning and use less energy and water. Using an ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers could give you over 230 hours of personal time back – that’s almost 10 days you would’ve spent hand-washing dishes.

Get better cleaning. Did you know water needs to be 140º to 145º degrees to fully sanitize dishes? Your hands can’t handle this, but most newer dishwashers have heaters inside that boost water temperatures more efficiently than water heaters to help save more energy.

Get a greener planet. Energy-efficient dishwashers use less energy, which helps reduce air pollution with lower greenhouse gas emissions. With reduced water consumption, energy-efficient dishwashers also help protect our lakes, streams and oceans.

Additional tips to get the most out of your dishwasher:

• Scrape food instead of pre-rinsing in sink or dishwasher; today’s dishwashing detergents are designed to handle lots of gunk.
• Only run a full dishwasher.
• Check your dishwasher’s owner’s manual to ensure you’re loading properly to get the best results.
• Use phosphate-free detergents to help maintain water quality.

Do you need a new dishwasher?

Search for the most energy-efficient unit for your needs price and needs at Energy Action Guide.