Save Money & the Environment with These Tips for Choosing the Right Dishwasher
How to Choose a Dishwasher
Owning a dishwasher is very important when you consider the benefits you receive on your side and the benefits to the ecosystem. Dishwashers use less energy and less water than traditional dish-washing using your hands and a scrubber.
The sad reality is that even the households that have dishwashers barely use them because of the misconception that it uses more energy and more water. A survey conducted by the U.S Energy Information Administration showed that 20% of households that have dishwashers don't use them at all and 54% only use them once a week.
Considering all of this, how do you pick the most viable choice when it comes to dishwashers? This guide on how to choose a dishwasher will ensure you get the right one for your home so you can use it as much as possible.
What Size Should You Get?
The size of your dishwasher should correlate with the size of your family if you want to capitalize on the benefits a dishwasher affords. For example, a small family shouldn't purchase a high loading capacity dishwasher because this would result in water wastage.
Likewise, a big family shouldn't buy a small dishwasher as this would result in wasted energy when you have to run multiple loads instead of washing all the dishes at once.
There are three types of dishwashers you can choose from:
- Small sized dishwasher
- Standard sized dishwasher (the best option for most households)
- Large sized dishwasher
All of these dishwashers have their strengths and weaknesses. A small sized dishwasher uses less energy and water, but if your family is large, it will work double time hence using more water and electricity.
The standard sized dishwasher is the most frequently purchased option because it doesn't waste much water and electricity like the large sized. The standard sized dishwasher also has more loading capacity than the small-sized dishwasher.
Washing Functionalities
Purchasing a dishwasher that has a variety of functions will help you save money on your water and electric bills, and also help save our environment. Dishwasher functions that automatically detect how a given load should be washed will save you money in the long run.
However, a dishwasher that you manually set for a function will help you be more in control of your savings. The different functionalities that are available include intensive cleaning, quick wash, delicate dishes and quiet mode, among others. Carefully choosing these functions according to the grime on your dishes will help a great deal.
Noise Reduction
You surely don't want a noisy kitchen or, even worse now that open-concept kitchens are so popular, a noisy dining room. To avoid this, you should get a low noise emitting dishwasher that emits a low sound of 43 decibels.
To yield the best results though, you should hear it in operation or check its noise level while buying online.
Warranty and Guarantee
You should compare the warranty and guarantees of different dishwasher machines to see which one is most likely to last the longest.
Also, some dishwashers come with an extended service plan — a great benefit you can't afford to overlook. It might require forking out some extra money up front, but it's better than having to repair or replace your dishwasher out of pocket later.
Energy and Water Consumption
Energy and water consumption should be your main concern when purchasing a dishwasher. You should check the energy consumption rate of the dishwasher you are looking at by referring to the ACEEE label.
Also, ensure that your dishwasher uses the minimum amount of water; certain dishwashers use less than 3 gallons and that water saving goes a long way.
Types of Dishwashers
There are different types of dishwashers for different types of applications. Check out the following types to see which suits you best:
Compact Drawer Dishwashers
Drawer dishwashers use little space and are usually embedded in a kitchen cupboard. The loading space is drawn out like a drawer; you load all the dishes and close it in like a drawer.
Freestanding Dishwasher
A freestanding dishwasher stands alone and doesn't need you to have a built-in cupboard. You can put it under a counter if you prefer or just stand it alone anywhere in the kitchen.
Fully Integrated Dishwasher
Fully integrated dishwashers are embedded in built-in cupboards and are given the same exterior finishing as the cupboard. You can't tell by looking at it that there is a dishwasher there and not another cupboard.
Semi-Integrated Dishwasher
A semi-integrated dishwasher is also embedded into a built-in cupboard, but is not given the same finishing as the cupboard. By looking at it, you can tell there is a dishwasher in the cupboard.
Slimline Dishwashers
Slimline dishwashers are small and save a lot of space. They generally take up about 45 centimeters, which is very space efficient for an appliance of this sort.
Counter-top/Portable Dishwasher
The portable dishwasher has a lot of different names. Some call it a counter-top dishwasher, while others call it a mini dishwasher. The essence of the matter is that this type of dishwasher is small, portable and can be used instantly.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you live alone or have a big family, you can find the perfect dishwasher for your needs. With all the brands of dishwashers on the market, you can do your research and find the right one for your needs and budget.
Choosing the right type of dishwasher according to your kitchen design will give you a feeling of accomplishment when you see the product you've bought. Most of all, having an energy efficient dishwasher will save you some extra cash and help you mitigate your environmental impact.