Should You Get A New Dishwasher?

There are still plenty of homes throughout Maryland that don’t have dishwashers installed. However, if you’re thinking of getting your kitchen remodeled, you may want to consider finally getting a dishwasher installed, if there isn’t one present, or even getting rid of the old one and buying a new one. But why? There are several important reasons!

More Water Efficiency

If you’re handwashing dishes for a full family, you may be using up to 27 gallons of water per dishwashing session. Today’s most energy efficient dishwasher use three! That’s a lot of savings on the monthly water bill, not to mention the actual labor saving factor!

Even if you’ve already got a dishwasher installed, older dishwashers in kitchens are far less water efficient than modern models. A dishwasher installed in the 1990s, for example, might still be working fine, but you’re using up to 10 gallons of water every time you turn it on! So a modern dishwasher is actually a greener, more cost-effective solution. The old advice about pre-rinsing your dishes before putting them in a dishwasher also no longer applies!

Save On Heat

Modern dishwashers in kitchens have also been built to heat water, rather than rely on the home’s water heater and tank to provide that heat. Because of the smaller amounts of water being heated, this often saves on the electricity or gas you would normally pay for heating water in your tank. Even more savings!

Have Safer Dishes

Finally, a modern dishwasher means safer dishes than handwashing. Modern dishwashers heat the water to between 140-145°F, a temperature too hot for your hands to tolerate. This is not only more efficient at cleaning the dishes, but also more sterile.

However, it’s important to remember that all this efficiency comes from having a dishwasher work on a full load. If you’re living alone, and hand washing for one, that might be more cost-effective.