Dishwashers Key Product Criteria
| Equipment | Capacity | Current Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ≥ 8 place settings + 6 serving pieces | ≤ 240 kWh/year ≤ 3.2 gallons/cycle |
| Compact | < 8 place settings + 6 serving pieces | ≤ 155 kWh/year ≤ 2.0 gallons/cycle |
The current ENERGY STAR criteria for dishwashers became effective July 19, 2023.
Energy Performance Metrics
The ENERGY STAR dishwasher qualification criteria are based on specific energy consumption and water consumption levels. The maximum energy consumption is measured in kWh/year and the maximum water consumption is measured in gallons/cycle.
Dishwashers consume energy to operate the machine, heat the water, and dry the dishes. The Department of Energy test procedure provides detailed equations to calculate the annual energy use of a dishwasher.
The federal EnergyGuide label on dishwashers shows the estimated yearly electricity use and estimated yearly energy cost. These figures use the annual energy consumption, average cycles per week, and the average cost of energy to make the energy and cost estimates. The annual energy consumption (AEC) does not appear on the EnergyGuide label.
Test Method for ENERGY STAR Qualified Dishwashers
ENERGY STAR dishwasher qualification requires use of the DOE test method defined in 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix C1. This DOE test method was announced on February 17, 2023, and all models must be tested using the new procedure by January 23, 2024.
This test method establishes a separate test for soil-sensing machines. Included in the final rule was a decision to add standby energy consumption to the annual energy and cost calculation, but not to the EF calculation. The average cycles per year is 215 cycles per year.