Save Energy and Water With These Energy Efficient Dishwashers

The humble dishwasher is a household favourite; it simplifies meal-time, making the clean-up a breeze. Dishwasher energy efficiency, however, is an important factor when choosing a new dishwasher, but it's not something we often think about. If you haven’t, don’t worry — we have done the research, so you don’t have to. 

To find the most energy and water-efficient dishwasher, both the dishwasher energy consumption and the water rating need to be balanced. Below, we’ll dive into both to help you find the most energy-efficient dishwasher Australia-wide to suit your home. 

Energy-efficient dishwashers significantly affect the energy and water you use. In fact, most modern energy-efficient dishwashers use less water than the amount required to fill up a standard domestic kitchen sink. The same cannot be said for a dishwasher on its last legs; as technology continues to evolve, so does the energy efficiency of dishwashers. Unfortunately, older dishwashers are usually not the best environmentally-friendly choice.

Average dishwasher energy consumption varies based on the model, the dishwasher's age, and the energy rating given to the particular appliance, as well as how often you use the dishwasher, which cycle is selected and how full the dishwasher is. Generally speaking, dishwasher energy consumption is relatively low, as most new designs use less energy and water than washing dishes by hand. 

Older appliances and appliances with a low energy rating label will use more energy. Luckily, laws state that all stores selling dishwashers within Australia and New Zealand must display the energy rating level on each dishwasher, making it easier for customers to choose a more sustainable choice.

Further energy savings can be achieved by using energy-saving features such as shorter wash cycles, eco mode, or running the dishwasher at off-peak times.

So are dishwashers energy efficient? For the most part, yes. However, it's important to buy a low-energy dishwasher and be conscious of how you use it.

Once again, the water usage of a dishwasher depends on the appliance's model, how old your machine is and the energy efficiency rating of the dishwasher. It will also depend on how you use the dishwasher, including frequency, how full it is, and which wash cycle you select. Dishwashers are fairly water-efficient, using less water than if you were to wash dishes by hand.

According to Everyday Climate Choices, an Australian government initiative, 4-star models use around one litre of water per place setting washed, while 5-star models use around 800 mL per setting.

So that’s a wrap on how you can find the most energy-efficient dishwasher Australia-wide. Remember, energy efficiency is also very dependent on how often you use a machine and which settings you use. If you have any questions about which dishwasher will be best for you and your household, please reach out to our friendly team for some advice. For more information on energy-efficient products, check out our eco-friendly appliance buying guide.

Q. Are dishwashers energy efficient?

For modern dishwashers, energy efficiency is a key design feature, with many models using considerably less energy than older and less efficient models. Furthermore, modern dishwashers use less energy than washing dishes by hand. 

Q. What is the average dishwasher energy consumption?

According to the Australian government’s energy rating website, the average dishwasher energy consumption is 0.9 kWh per cycle.