The dishwasher has always been a household work horse. You expect a lot from that small appliance under your countertop.
With high-use, a calling for a balance in efficiency has become the standard.
We will look at the new washing methods, the most efficient brands and offer you tips on how to save more water.
Today's Dishwashers
One of the most common asked questions is: “Why is a dishwasher cycle so much longer than that of my dishwasher from 10-15 years ago?”
The answer is simple; today's dishwashers are much more energy efficient than those of the past, using about one-third of the water.
Dishwashers are now built with sensors monitoring the soil levels in the water as it's being filtered and reused. Sensors lead to longer cycle times with an average 120-129 minutes. The final clean-water rinse assures your end result of sparkling dishes.
Older machines would run a normal cycle in about half that time. However, they would consume three to four times the water, as fresh water was constantly being pumped in and out of the unit.
Non-Energy Star
The new, non-Energy Star dishwashers use about 6 gallons per wash. Energy Star dishwashers only consume about 4 gallons per wash. This is a wide contrast in comparison to machines older than 10 years.
The older, non-efficient, dishwasher consumes an average of 15-18 gallons per wash. That’s a big difference!
Dishwasher Differences
For the most part, dishwashers in a respective brand label are pretty much all the same. The tub and major mechanical components...all the same.
What sets them apart in each brand is:
- Aesthetics (door panel finish type / handle)
- Noise Level (aka dBA / higher-end models are better insulated)
- Rack Systems (cutlery tray, adjustable tines, ultra-glide rails)
- Wash Programs and Cycles
- Number of Spray Arms
- Water-Softener Feature
- Interior LED Lighting
So, the best and cheapest dishwashers have similar efficiency.
Most Water Efficient Dishwashers
The following dishwashers rate supreme in water efficiency.
5. KitchenAid KDFE204ESS - $999
Depends on cycle / Normal 2.8 to 7.9 gallons (depending on light, heavy or medium)
Features
- 46 dBA Sound Level
- 6 Cycles / 6 Options
- Third Level Rack
- Satin Glide Max Upper Rails
- Proscrub
4. Jenn-Air TriFecta Series JDB9200CWS - $1,399
Depends on cycle / Normal 2.8 to 7.9 gallons (depending on light, heavy or medium)
Features
- 42 dBA Sound Level
- 6 Wash Cycles / 5 Options
- SteamFinish Option
- Energy Star®
- Interior LED Theater Lighting
3. Thermador Topaz Series DWHD640JFP - $1,499
Average 2.2 gallons / cycle in Auto Program
Features
- 44 dBA Sound Level
- 6 Wash Cycles / 4 Options
- PowerBoost
- Sens-A-Wash System
- Professional Handle
- Chef's Tool Drawer
2. Bosch 800 DLX Series SHX68TL5UC - $899
Average 2.9 gallons / cycle in Auto Program
Features
- 44 dBA Sound Level
- 6 Wash Cycles / 6 Options
- Adjustable Upper Rack
- 3rd Top Rack
- InfoLight
1. Miele Futura Dimension Series G6365SCVISF - $1,499
Average 1.72 gallons / cycle in Auto Program
Features
- 44 dBA Sound Level
- 9 Wash Cycles / 3 Wash Options
- FlexiCare Premium Basket Design
- 3D Cutlery Tray
- Water Softening Unit
Water Saving Tip
Stop rinsing your dishes before placing them into the tub: This is a bad habit that can be counter-productive. Scrape your plates and remove large food particles, but no need to rinse. Detergents also need to adhere to the waste on plates to be the most effective.
Conclusion
Efficiency alone is not necessarily a reason to replace a dishwasher under 10 years old.
The $25-35 savings is not worth the return on your estimate for a $699 dishwasher. Other factors like quietness, racks and overall construction are better reasons.
Related Articles
- Quietest Dishwashers by Decibel Ratings
- Bosch vs. Miele Dishwashers
- Bosch vs. KitchenAid Dishwashers
Additional Resources
Get the Yale Dishwasher Buying Guide with features, specs and inside tips to all the brands like KitchenAid, Miele, Bosch, Electrolux, Maytag and more. Well over 110,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
Why Should You Trust Us?
It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.
We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.
Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.
A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
Topics:
