Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, shares his tips on how you can save energy with these simple dishwasher tricks.

Dishwasher over handwashing

Ian says: “Dishwashers generally use less hot water than hand washing. On average, a dishwasher uses water four times more efficiently than washing by hand, so if you are running a load when the appliance is full, this can actually ease your energy bills more than you might expect.”

No need to pre-rinse your dishes before loading the dishwasherr

Ian says: “One of the biggest dishwasher myths is that you need to rinse items before loading them. In reality, this uses extra unnecessary hot water and typically won’t improve the results. Modern dishwashers use high temperatures designed to break down stubborn stains with little trouble so pre-rinsing plates is a bit like hand washing your car before taking it to the car wash.

“You can save water and skip the pre-rinse; pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher can waste around 1115 litres of water each year!

“Modern soaps and detergents work better on dirty dishes. The enzymes in soaps are designed to attach themselves to dirt particles and be rinsed away. However, if dishes are thoroughly rinsed, they have nothing to attach to.

“However, if you have a pan with some burnt-on food residue it can be a good idea to give it a soak beforehand. Not scraping away any food before putting items in the dishwasher can cause clogs and eventually need a dishwasher repair.”

Replace your outdated, energy-sucking appliances

Ian says: “Old appliances are often a big culprit when it comes to reduced energy-efficiency. Consider investing in new household appliances that already use a large amount of energy, such as dishwashers, fridge freezers, and washing machines.

“Modern appliances come with an EPC (energy performance certificate) that allows you to understand usage. As a rule, anything above a C is a good choice when considering environmental impact. Not only that, but it will help you pay less on bills, making it a worthwhile investment.”

For more information, visit: https://www.domesticandgeneral.com/repair-care/appliances/dishwasher-repairs