3 Eco-Friendly Features to Look for in a New Dishwasher

If your dishwasher is more than 10 years old, the control panel is no longer working, or it simply does not get your dishes as clean as it used to, then the time has come to invest in a new dishwasher. Since you likely haven't purchased a new dishwasher in quite a few years, you may be overwhelmed with all of the new models on the market and all of the different features they offer.

If you enjoy living an eco-conscious lifestyle, then you likely already look for the ENERGY STAR logo on appliances. Be sure to choose an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher, because these dishwashers use an average of 3,870 fewer gallons of water during their lifespans than dishwashers that are not ENERGY STAR certified.

However, you may not realize how many new dishwasher features can help conserve even more energy and water as they wash each load of dishes.

Read on to learn about four eco-friendly dishwasher features to look for in your new dishwasher.

1. Built-In Greywater Recycling Feature

The average dishwasher uses 4 to 6 gallons of fresh to perform each cycle. You can cut the amount of water your dishwasher uses to wash and rinse a load of dishes by purchasing a new dishwasher that has a built-in greywater recycling feature. Greywater is water that is just gently soiled from household use that is not hazardous to reuse.

A dishwasher with a greywater recycling feature stores the water used to perform a dishwasher load's final rinse and then also reuses it during the wash or pre-rinse cycle of the next load.

This feature can reduce your dishwasher's fresh water usage by an average of 33 percent.

2. Unique Dishwasher Rack Designs

Most dishwashers are equipped with two racks that can only be rolled in and out of the dishwasher. Having just these two racks can be a nuisance when you have a large load of dishes to wash and find that you can't squeeze all of your dirty dishes into the dishwasher. Of course, you can wash the extra dishes by hand, but this creates extra water waste.

Some of today's modern dishwashers are equipped with a third rack where you can squeeze those few extra dirty dishes. You then don't have to waste water and time washing them by hand.

In addition, some dishwashers also have adjustable rack designs. If you have ever had a problem fitting a large pot onto the bottom rack of your dishwasher, you will appreciate adjustable racks that you can move when you load your dishwasher with large items.

3. Soil Sensor

Your older dishwasher may have come equipped with only a few wash cycle options, such as a choice between light, medium, and heavy loads. The load choice in many dishwashers only controls how long the wash cycle runs, adding more time to wash heavier loads. However, these dishwashers often use the same amount of water when cleaning each type of load, which uses more water than necessary with light loads.

Many modern dishwashers are equipped with soil sensors that automatically detect the amount of debris on dishes for you and then tailor the length of the wash cycle and the amount of water used in the cycle for you. This feature helps ensure no more water and energy are used when washing a load of dishes than needed.

If you want to replace your current dishwasher or install one in your new home, then look for these three eco-friendly dishwasher features that can also save you money on your water and electricity bills. Reach out to the certified, licensed green plumbing contractors at Power Plumbing Inc. for expert dishwasher installation.