http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HomeGarden/dishwashers-do-double-duty/
(May 5, 2008)
Whether it's a single or double drawer, the new Energy Star dishwashers save you money while conserving energy. 
Seeing double
Double-drawer dishwashers split the dishwasher in two, acting like two independent dishwashers in one. You no longer need to waste water and energy by running only half-full loads. A versatile appliance, these dishwashers can accommodate various workday and weekend loads. They're ideal for smaller households.
Double-drawer cons
If you have a large, hungry family these dishwashers may not be for you. A traditional model can actually be more energy-efficient than running a double-drawer too often. Additionally, the double-drawer has only recently arrived on the market and, for now, can cost substantially more than traditional models. Fortunately, the traditional dishwashers have also been improved to save water and energy as well.
Future of dishwashers?
The Hitachi nano dishwasher is a Japanese machine that reportedly uses ultra-fine steam and nano-sized water droplets to clean dishes with a fraction of the usual energy and water use. The water droplets are reportedly 1.5 nanometres, or one billionth of a metre.
Now for the suds
So, you’ve bought the most eco-friendly, energy-efficient dishwasher you can, but what are you washing your dishes with? Many dishwashing detergents still contain phosphates, a chemical known to cause an overgrowth of blue-green algae in our lakes and rivers, ultimately damaging plants and wildlife. Eco-friendly brand alternatives to look for include Attitude, Seventh Generation, Ecover, President's Choice Green and Wave Jet.
Getting your hands wet
Finally, we can’t talk about dishwashers without acknowledging the ongoing dishwasher vs. hand washing debate. Several studies have now reported that modern dishwashers use far less water and energy than that of the equivalent amount of dishes washed by hand. The University of Bonn did one of the most comprehensive studies, covering seven European countries. However, the die-hard hand washers claim they use far less water than these studies used and point out that your dishwasher itself will eventually add to the landfill.
Some of the newer more sophisticated dishwashers -- like the GE Profile SmartDispenseTechnology -- save even more electricity and water. The GE Smart Dispense model holds an entire bottle of liquid automatic dishwasher detergent and can automatically dispense the right amount of soap based on the weight of the dishes and water available, so it says even more water and electricity.
Maximize your dishwasher
Whatever model you choose, these tips are widely recommended for saving energy:1. Replace any pre-1994 models with an Energy Star dishwasher. You can save an estimated $25 to $35 a year in energy costs. 2. Don’t pre-rinse -- modern dishwashers are powerful enough to handle food residue. 3. Do a full load every time. Taking you three or four days to fill your dishwasher? You’re a great candidate for the double-drawer model. 4. Choose the air dry option that uses fans to pull in air from the room to dry dishes rather than heat. No air dry option? Then stop your washer after the rinse cycle and simply open the door. 5. Some washers actually have energy-saving settings that allow you to wash only slightly soiled dishes in less water. Reducing the amount of water used by your dishwasher is important because approximately 80 percent of the energy used by these machines goes towards heating the water. 6. Use your dishwasher’s timer option to take advantage of off-peak washing, especially if you live in an area where you pay for peak power usage. 7. Every brand is different so make sure you follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for efficiency. Shannon Wilmot is a freelance writer based in Toronto.
Dishwashers do double duty
Image: istockphoto.com/Kenneth C. Zirkel
Seeing double
Double-drawer dishwashers split the dishwasher in two, acting like two independent dishwashers in one. You no longer need to waste water and energy by running only half-full loads. A versatile appliance, these dishwashers can accommodate various workday and weekend loads. They're ideal for smaller households.
Double-drawer cons
If you have a large, hungry family these dishwashers may not be for you. A traditional model can actually be more energy-efficient than running a double-drawer too often. Additionally, the double-drawer has only recently arrived on the market and, for now, can cost substantially more than traditional models. Fortunately, the traditional dishwashers have also been improved to save water and energy as well.
Future of dishwashers?
The Hitachi nano dishwasher is a Japanese machine that reportedly uses ultra-fine steam and nano-sized water droplets to clean dishes with a fraction of the usual energy and water use. The water droplets are reportedly 1.5 nanometres, or one billionth of a metre.
Now for the suds
So, you’ve bought the most eco-friendly, energy-efficient dishwasher you can, but what are you washing your dishes with? Many dishwashing detergents still contain phosphates, a chemical known to cause an overgrowth of blue-green algae in our lakes and rivers, ultimately damaging plants and wildlife. Eco-friendly brand alternatives to look for include Attitude, Seventh Generation, Ecover, President's Choice Green and Wave Jet.
Getting your hands wet
Finally, we can’t talk about dishwashers without acknowledging the ongoing dishwasher vs. hand washing debate. Several studies have now reported that modern dishwashers use far less water and energy than that of the equivalent amount of dishes washed by hand. The University of Bonn did one of the most comprehensive studies, covering seven European countries. However, the die-hard hand washers claim they use far less water than these studies used and point out that your dishwasher itself will eventually add to the landfill.
Some of the newer more sophisticated dishwashers -- like the GE Profile SmartDispenseTechnology -- save even more electricity and water. The GE Smart Dispense model holds an entire bottle of liquid automatic dishwasher detergent and can automatically dispense the right amount of soap based on the weight of the dishes and water available, so it says even more water and electricity.
Maximize your dishwasher
Whatever model you choose, these tips are widely recommended for saving energy:
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