Dishwasher reviews: Dishwasher energy efficiency
Dishwasher energy efficiency has improved in recent years – and Which? can help you choose a more energy efficient dishwasher that gets your dishes, pots and pans gleaming while saving money on your energy bills.
Some dishwashers use less water than washing by hand
How Which? tests dishwasher energy efficiency
Which? has tested more than 130 dishwashers, and each one is scored on how much energy and water it consumes during a main and eco program, giving an all-round picture of dishwasher energy efficiency.
Go to the compare features and prices page to search for dishwashers with good energy efficiency and find out which dishwashers are Best Buys – as well as the Don't Buy dishwashers you should steer clear of.
Choosing an energy efficient dishwasher
- Energy efficiency label Firstly, take a look at the dishwasher's energy efficiency rating, a grade between A and G, with A being the most efficient and cheapest to run.
- Eco and energy save program This program option uses less water and electricity than a main program per wash. Eco programs wash dishes at lower temperatures, and usually need a little bit longer to get the dishes clean. An eco program can use as little as 12 litres of water to wash a full load – slightly more than a single washing-up bowl.
- Which? Best Buy dishwashers We found little difference between washing results on the main and eco programs with our Best Buy dishwashers – these dishwashers had good energy efficiency and performed best overall during our rigorous testing.
How dishwashers compare on energy efficiency
| Energy efficiency of dishwashers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Energy used | Cost per wash | Annual cost |
| Main program | |||
| Whirlpool ADG7460 | 1.01 kWh | 12.6p | £23 |
| Fisher and Paykel DS605 | 1.98 kWh | 24.7p | £45 |
| Eco program | |||
| Zanussi-Electrolux ZDT40 | 0.97 kWh | 12.1p | £22 |
| De Dietrich DQH740J | 1.51 kWh | 18.8p | £34 |
Table notes
Annual cost based on using one dishwasher cycle every two days.
A main program wash on the Whirlpool ADG7460, for example, costs 12.6p in electricity to run, compared to an equivalent cycle on the Fisher & Paykel DS605, which costs 24.7p. That might not sound like much, but over a year, it adds up to a difference of £22 if you use your dishwasher every couple of days.
It's also worth noting that there's no standard definition of an eco program – meaning some eco programs are more energy efficient than others.
The main program on the Whirlpool model, for example, uses less electricity than the De Dietirch DQH740J's eco program, which costs around £34 in electricity a year. Meanwhile the Zanussi-Electrolux ZDT40's eco program costs £22 to run over a year – £12 cheaper than the De Dietrich, and slightly less than the Whirlpool.
Dishwasher reliability and environmental impact
The main environmental impact generally occurs when using, rather than manufacturing, a product. But there's also an environmental cost in disposing of old appliances, so determining the tipping point at which it's environmentally best to replace a working appliance with a more efficient new one isn't easy.
Choosing a reliable dishwasher model can help you get the most out of your appliance as well as minimising the environmental impact of disposing of and replacing your dishwasher.
Cross reference our dishwasher reliability survey results with member opinions and Best Buy dishwashers to ensure you choose the best model for both efficiency and reliability.
Fully load your dishwasher
Dishwasher energy efficiency tips
- Fully load your dishwasher A dishwasher containing just one plate uses exactly the same amount of water as a fully loaded machine, so ensure your dishwasher is at maximum capacity before you switch it on.
- Avoid half-load programs While half-load programs will use less water and less energy than a normal cycle, the savings won't equate to half. It's better to wait until your dishwasher is full and then select an eco cycle to clean your load.
How to recycle your old dishwasher
Under the EU's waste electrical and electronic equipment (Weee) directive, shops must help customers recycle old dishwashers – along with a wide range of other electrical and white goods – either through paying towards washing machine recycling facilities at a council site, or by offering a service themselves.
When you're shopping, ask if the store will take away your old machine when it delivers your new one.
Alternatively, contact your council to find your nearest appliance recycling site, or to arrange for your old dishwasher to be collected. Some councils offer free collection; others charge up to £30. Find out more in our essential recycling guide.
Or, if your dishwasher still works, use a recycling scheme such as Freecycle to offer it to someone else.
More dishwasher advice
Find out how to use your dishwasher in a more eco-friendly way, plus see which dishwasher tablets we recommend for optimum dishwasher performance.
Visit Which?'s greener living section for more on green and environmental issues.