Comments on: How much, if any, water do dishwashers save?

By: Crystle

Crystle — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:39:29 +0000

Carla: That’s definitely another factor in the total energy use. It’s not just the total amount of water. I think too there are more options for environmentally friendly normal dish soaps than for dishwasher soaps.

By: Carla

Carla — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:09:44 +0000

Question: How about the energy used to heat the water in the dishwasher? Our dishwasher rinses the water, holds the dishes while heating the water and then washes and dries the dishes. And that heating is on top of the water heater we already own.

By: Rainwater Tanks Direct

Rainwater Tanks Direct — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:15:09 +0000

Good reaserch Crystal
We have tested both methods and found similar results to yours. We have added Grey water systems and water tanks to our house to offset water wasteage from washing dishes ect. Our grey water is supplied by the bath and shower water and is distrubuted though drip irrigation thruogh out our garden. The rainwater tanks supply water for washing clothes, flushing toilets and watering pot plants and the like.

By: rainwater tanks

rainwater tanks — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:18:23 +0000

We have a dishwasher which empties into the sink so I can put the plug in and see how much water it uses. It will almost fill the sink which I guess is about 15L. More water than I would use to handwash, but less if you have another sink full to rinse. You may also need to refill the washing up water if it gets really dirty. I reckon dishwashers use less, not to mention the arguments it saves!

By: Crystle

Crystle — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:52:41 +0000

I was estimating that the dishes I did this am with that level of water would be close to a load, but maybe not. I agree, a dishwasher is comparable by my hand washing method.

By: emma

emma — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:39:38 +0000

hi crys,

thanks for the first-hand research. one possible missing link might be that a dishwasher can usually wash more dishes than one sink load…especially if they’re greasy. normally when I do a full counter top of dishes I have to use a couple sinkloads of water, where the dishwasher might only be one load. basically, there are SO many considerations in this debate, it would be hard to make one blank statement one way or the other, as you mentioned. and of course pots need to be washed by hand (at least, I would).

thanks for the research! -e