Dishwasher eco program - Bloody revelation!

[tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz]

So after reading many threads here recommending it about a fortnight ago I started using my dishwasher eco programme which I'd not bothered with before as it's almost 3 hours long compared to the express 45 minutes one I've always used. I also tried halving my tablets (Asda cheapies 30 for about £1.50).

Well.

Absolutely kicking myself for not doing it sooner as my dishes come out sparkling! And I'm saving cash on tablets too,

Although occasionally I forgot to turn it on until later in the evening so then I'm cursing myself when I'm stopping up until midnight to turn the power off (paranoid about leaving things plugged in unnecessarily ).

But yes - thanks for all posters suggesting it!

I use the eco programme too. It is often put on just before bed. I dont stay up to switch anything off. I have been using aldi fancy dishwasher tablets that are a copy of the finish fancy ones

Do these eco programmes actually use less energy than the short programmes? Our dishwasher has a 29 minute setting which is pretty good but I would love to save energy!

They use more electricity but use less water. Plus the dishes aren't as clean when I've tried it.

Most of the energy on dishwashers is used on heating the water. The eco programmes are longer but the water isn't so hot. Less energy used. Same for washing machines.

Our half hour programme is hotter than the Eco programme, but uses (almost) the same amount of energy. The Eco programme uses a little less water. The differences in the cost of energy and water are negligible, so I'm sticking with the half hour programme. Similar results with washing machine. 30 min 40 deg programme costs roughly the same as 30 deg eco that takes five times as long.

OP, how much energy do you save by switching the machine off? Mine has been plugged in for over 20 years (current machine and predecessor). I don’t even switch it off when we are on holiday, unlike other appliances.

We got a new dishwasher last year and the eco programme, which is nearly 5 hours long, uses 0.7 kWh of electricity, which is the least, I think the 'quick and intensive' one uses nearly twice that amount, and even the other quick washes use over 1 kWh, so definitely the least by some margin. They use less because they spend a lot of time soaking rather than spraying high pressure hot water all over things.

It also uses the least amount of water, about 10 litres, which is about half a sink full, so considerably less than washing up the same amount (or even a lot less) by hand.

Also, our eco programme on the new dishwasher works perfectly well, unlike the old one it replaced, but to be fair, it was the cheapest Bosch available at the time, and was very basic, but lasted 7 years. This one was a higher spec model, but seems a lot better, and more efficient.

I'm more terrified of a fire rather than energy saving there.

According to my manual, my dishwasher uses a tenth of a W per hour when 'off', so I think we can forget that! It uses 5 watts an hour in 'always on' mode but switches off after a wash anyway.

@dementedpixie I hope you invested in good house insurance!

Op you are right to turn the dishwasher off.

A relative in the fire service said they cause so many fires.
Don't leave the washing machine or dishwasher running overnight or while you are out. They are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors

We have started using eco on the dishwasher & washing machine, it has made savings for our water and power.

I’m not convinced. Our quick setting is 45C and takes thirty minutes. The eco program is 50C and takes well over an hour. I can’t see how it can use less yet run longer and hotter. If it’s just about water then who cares, that’s not what costs me

Eco programmes are for water conservation not electricity. The only way to save money on electric, is short cycles, or night cycles if you have a lower night rate.

This is from my manual. I use the 30 min programme. Same for washing machine - difference is pennies. I'm focussing on heating and tumble drying because I know I have used them too much - if the dishwasher programmes saved a kwh on the Eco programme, I'd consider it, but convenience wins in this case.