Dishwashers for Consumers

ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use advanced technology to get your dishes clean while using less water and energy.

• Trim your utility bills - Do you have a dishwasher made before 1994? If so, you're paying an extra $40 a year on your utility bills compared to owning a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. Replace one of these old dishwashers with ENERGY STAR and save enough money to pay for dishwasher detergent all year.
• Save loads of water - A dishwasher built before 1994 wastes about 8 gallons of water per cycle compared to owning a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. Replace one of these old dishwashers with ENERGY STAR and save enough water each week to wash 2 loads of laundry in an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer.
• Save the environment - Nearly 70 percent of U.S. electricity is generated by burning coal and natural gas, which releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and causes global warming. ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers use less energy than conventional models, which helps combat global warming. By reducing water consumption, ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers also help protect our lakes, streams, and oceans.
• Find out more ways to save water and help protect our nation's water supply.

Dishwashers originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in June, 1996. ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers are 10% more efficient than non-qualified models and are more efficient than models that simply meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.

Dishwashers Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

What else should I look for when buying a dishwasher?

Check the yellow EnergyGuide label.
The EnergyGuide label tells you how much energy it takes to operate a dishwasher. Use it to compare the energy use of similar models and estimate annual operating costs. Learn How to Use the EnergyGuide Label.

Choose the right size for your home.
Standard-capacity models hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces, while compact-capacity models hold up to that amount. If you have to operate a compact model more frequently, over time you may use more energy than you would with a standard model.

Choose a dishwasher with several wash cycle options.
If your dishes are only slightly soiled, you can use a light or energy-saving wash cycle, which uses less water and operates for a shorter period of time.

Related Information:

Hand washing vs. Dishwasher
Dish Washing Best Practices

These FAQs represent the top ten related to Dishwashers and the ENERGY STAR program.