Sometimes we are asked to source new machines with high eco ratings. For dishwashers and washers, that often refers to the amount of waster used, and for dishwashers especially, to the drying part of the cycle.
Sometimes, though, eco just doesn’t stack up… I know, so sad! But think about it: the manufacturers want to sell their product in a market that has become increasingly concerned about the damage we do to the environment. They comply with requirements to show their product’s eco ratings, but they need to keep those ratings as positive as possible. So when you see they have a high star rating, think about how they get there. For power use, the rating will be based on usage on the ‘Eco’ cycle on your dishwasher. Hmm.. that means no drying cycle, ok? Was that a consideration when you bought? And for a washer, it may be based on using cold water… in fine print, because of course, you need warm water to get your clothes clean.
In a top load washer the water usage will be based on you washing two pairs of socks and a couple of pairs of knickers at low water level. There are plenty of sites and blogs encouraging users to keep their water low in their top loader, but this will put pressure on the agitator and the motor. We see plenty of broken agitators. So it isn’t worth the saving in water if you have to replace your agitator. Have a look at our blog on miso soup for more info about how much water to use.
If you want to save water, steer clear of the top load washers as they use way more water than front loaders . The down side is the time they take to get through using 2.5 teaspoons of water for a load.
If you want to save energy in a dishwasher, run the normal wash, but make sure it is full. Run the eco cycle if you can handle wiping up all the crockery and glasses, but not every time.
