Dishwashers have become an integral part of many homes, as they save time, effort, and arguments.
But one expert has warned that some common dishwasher habits may be costing you more in energy charges. As the cost of living crisis continues to cripple the nation, every little helps when it comes to cutting costs.
And it turns out that one particular practice that many people do that may be a waste of money. According Gene Fitzgerald, home water treatment expert at BOS, households should only run your dishwasher when it is full.
He said: "Half loads are wasteful of energy and water. Running a full load should cost less than washing dishes by hand."
We previously reported that the dishwasher is one of the most costly household appliances. An average cycle lasts around an hour and a half and each 90 minute wash costs £1.12, but some lower quality machines can run from two to four hours. Running a dishwasher is one of the most expensive household appliances, using around 3.3 kWh of energy.
The specialist has shared other tips to make your dishwasher more cost efficient.
Six ways to cut the cost of running your dishwasher
1. Don't rinse - It takes two minutes to scrape food waste into the bin. Rinsing is unnecessary.
2. Select an eco setting - Washing takes longer to complete, but it’s considerably cheaper.
3. Don’t pre-wash - If your dishwasher needed to pre-wash dishes, it would be integrated into the main cycle.
4. Know your water type - If you live in a hard water area, it could impact the performance of your dishwasher (and other appliances). Leaving residue behind, hard water will restrict water flow and eventually stop your dishwasher from working. Installing a water softener would prevent this.
5. Maintain your dishwasher - Cleaning filters, using limescale removers, and other basic maintenance will improve your dishwasher’s performance.
6. Research before you buy - Dishwashers come with a range of energy ratings. If you choose a model with a high-efficiency rating, it will cost you less to run.
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