There are so many things we have in our homes that use electricity to work. From our televisions and charging out mobile phones, to computers and washing machines, we probably go about everyday life using these things without considering the cost. Right now though, we’re all looking at our energy bills closer than ever and wondering where we can make savings. As prices increase, we need to put into place practical changes that will help save us money. To do this, we need to know how much the things in our household cost us to operate. How much energy does a dishwasher use? Let’s take a look!
Dishwashers, Tablets & Maintenance
Dishwashers are machines, often found in kitchens or utility rooms that wash our dirty plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for us. The user loads the items into the racks of the washer before adding a dishwasher tablet which helps with the cleaning. Dishwashers come in two basic sizes so they fit into kitchens easily. Although they might differ by a few centimetres here and there, the full-size ones usually accommodate 12 place settings worth of tableware. Slimline versions are available for smaller kitchens and fewer people in the family.
The machine is hooked up to water pipes and is plugged in at the mains. Maintenance is important to ensure the dishwasher runs properly. This includes cleaning out any filters, unclogging blockages and adding dishwasher salt to achieve better cleaning results. The cost of dishwashers varies. A quick online search at one store gives us the cheapest at £229 and the most expensive at over £1500! There are then the dishwasher tablets to buy which can be as cheap as £1.50 for a box of 20 if you shop at budget supermarkets and pound stores. Well-known brands such as Finish and Fairy will usually cost much more.
Alternatives To Using A Dishwasher
Of course, not everyone owns a dishwasher as some don’t have the space in their homes or the money to buy and run one. There are alternatives to dishwashers. our modern society relies heavily on machines to do jobs for us but traditionally, the washing up is done in a sink, with water, washing up liquid and a brush.
You might think that it takes longer to wash up by hand, but when you take into account that you have to load the dishwasher, wait for the cycle to complete and unload the dishwasher, washing by hand can be quicker. You’ll likely use less water and of course, you’ll use less electricity as the energy used for washing will come from your hands. How much energy does a dishwasher use?
How Much Energy Does A Dishwasher Use?
This is the question at hand here. How much energy does a dishwasher use? Depending on the make, model and cycle used for washing your dishes, dishwashers use between 1200 and 2400 Watts. The average dishwasher used around 1.5kWh of electricity.
If you’re paying 28p for a kWh, put your dishwasher on a cycle that lasts an hour and you’ll pay 42p. If you are paying 40p per kWh and your cycle lasts 90 minutes, it would cost you 60p. You can figure out how much it will cost you by looking at the price you are paying for your own energy.
To save money, look at the setting you are using for your cycle. A shorter cycle will cost less, as will one that uses a lower temperature. Ensure you are maximising the amount of space in your dishwasher. By only half filling it, you are getting fewer clean dishes for your money. Of course, you could scrap your dishwasher altogether and start scrubbing by hand.
Change your habits and you can start saving some money.
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