Prudent use of the dishwasher: save money with some useful precautions
Anyone who uses a dishwasher in the kitchen knows that it is an indispensable appliance, which saves doing a lot of extra work and guarantees optimum results. Furthermore, compared to hand washing - especially if the dishes are numerous - allows you to control water consumption (unless it is an old appliance).
However, it is also true that it is one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home and consumes a lot of power every time it is in operation. But if you can't do without a dishwasher, how can you avoid consuming too much energy?
Energy categories: the higher the category, the more it will help with your bills. Appliances in categories A, AA and AAA are (incrementally) the best, and have a considerable, positive impact on consumption. While initially costly, appliances like these can be considered an investment then amortizes future energy bills. In any case, it is advisable not to go below category B.
If the dishes need to be rinsed before being loaded into the appliance (which many disagree with - there are various schools of thought!), do it using utensils to remove the residue rather than by just running a lot of water over them. Also, always keep the electricity supply contract terms in mind to identify the most economical time slots to run the dishwasher. Further, only use the dishwasher when it is full.
- Do not overload the dishwaser, and above all, load it methodically: leaving space between objects also means allowing soap and water to circulate better, and guarentees a perfect result (without having to "refine" the washing afterwards).
- Be sparing with the detergent: boiling water does a lot of the heavy work!
- If your dishwasher allows it, use the "airdry" drying program, which uses air at room temperature, without having to heat the air specifically. Compared to hot drying, this uses 15% less energy. Otherwise, use a rinse aid for better results and turn off the hot drying cycle. You can open the door as soon as the washing is finished, letting the outside air in and immediately letting the steam that forms inside the appliance to escape.
- Never forget to carefully clean the dishwasher and its filter, otherwise you will compromise the effectiveness of the appliance it will use more energy.
Keeping all these tips in mind for each wash can save you a lot on power bills by the end of the year!
