If you’re hoping to reduce your energy bills this January, a minor adjustment to your dishwasher could help. This quick change could see each load cost less.
Consumer group Which? tested the common cycles that most dishwasher units have – main (the automatic/default), eco and quick wash. They discovered one setting provided an exceptional clean, but another could help you save money.
Testing three major-brand models revealed the limitations of these settings. It also demonstrated how a simple switch could keep more cash in your pocket.
Which? examined the best programme for long-term savings. According to their snapshot test, using the main cycle exclusively for five washes per week would cost an average of £62.82 annually.
In contrast, a quick wash would cost slightly more – averaging at £68.07. This is where the eco mode becomes beneficial, costing just £46.13 annually, making it the cheapest option.
Dishwasher cycles can vary in cost and efficiency
(Image: Copyright Dazeley/ Getty)
Each setting takes a drastically different amount of time to complete, with some rapid programmes taking just 15 minutes while the eco mode took the longest, on average, with cycles lasting close to four hours.
Although eco-mode washing takes longer, researcher Andrew Laughlin says it’s worth considering for the financial benefits. He explained: “Just as the quick wash has to produce enough water for the wash and reach the required temperatures in a short amount of time, eco mode does the opposite. It has a longer duration, so the machine can reach the required temperatures slowly and gradually.
“While you might think that a longer duration would mean more water being used, our snapshot test actually showed the opposite. Eco mode used 8.88 litres of water during a wash cycle, whereas the main program used 10.79 litres and the quick wash used the most, at 10.46 litres.”
According to Laughlin, the eco-mode has its drawbacks, including not cleaning and drying as well as the main cycle, but it makes up for it in other areas. He suggests considering the switch for both the environment and your finances.
With nearly half of British households owning a dishwasher as of 2018, millions could benefit from this. There are also other ways to make using your dishwasher more cost-effective, such as:
- Running full loads to minimise the number of cycles.
- Regularly clean and maintain the dishwasher to keep it free from food scraps.
- Using salt, especially in areas with hard water.
- Opting for an energy-efficient model.