The argument about whether or not handwashing dishes is better than using a dishwasher has been around for a while. A lot of people attribute their decision not to buy a dishwasher to the fact that dishwashers are not efficient enough. However, although this is a widely-held belief, you should know that it isn't actually true. This raises the question, "how much water does a dishwasher use?"
Before explaining how much water a dishwasher actually uses, let's look at what a dishwasher is and the features of a good dishwasher.
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DishwashersDishwashers: What's All The Hype About
You'll have heard about dishwashers for a while, especially if you do a lot of cooking and cleaning work. And why not? These home appliances are currently considered a "must-have" for every kitchen due to the amount of convenience they offer. With a dishwasher, you won't have to stress trying to wash your dirty dishes every day.
All you'll need to do is load the plates in the dishwasher, add some detergent, program it, and you're good to go. So if you don't currently own or use a dishwasher and you hate washing plates or simply don't have the time to, you should definitely consider getting a dishwasher.
Features Of A Good Dishwasher
Now you should know that there are tons of dishwasher options available on the market, and they come in different sizes and styles. So you may find it challenging to make a dishwasher selection when you want to purchase one. If you're looking to buy a dishwasher for yourself, here are some things to look out for.
1. Programmability
One of the first things you'll want to check in a dishwasher option is how programmable it is. This is important because it ensures you'll have and enjoy dishwasher versatility. It's not every day you'll want to or have lots of dirty dishes to wash, so a dishwasher with a "one size fits all" programming is not ideal. Instead, you want a dishwasher with lots of programmable modes that you'll be able to adjust to suit your specific needs.
2. Dishwasher Capacity
As mentioned earlier, many dishwasher options are available on the market. These dishwasher choices vary in a lot of things, from programmability to size. The size of a dishwasher is something you'll want to consider before buying. This is because the size is, more or less, an indication of the dishwasher's loading capacity. A small dishwasher will be perfect if you usually don't need to wash more than a few dirty dishes at a time. On the other hand, if you frequently have a lot of dirty dishes to clean, you'll want a dishwasher with a large loading capacity (about 24").
3. Dishwasher Noise
Just like most other electronic kitchen appliances, dishwashers tend to make some sort of "operational noise" while they're in use. Although this normally wouldn't be a problem, the sounds coming from your dishwasher can be loud and disturbing, especially at night. There are, however, dishwasher options that offer quiet performance. So if you would prefer your dishwasher noise not to interrupt movie time or keep you up at night, you should go for one with a low noise rating (preferably around 45dBA or lower).
4. Cleaning Effectiveness
Although all dishwashers offer pretty good cleaning results, you should know that they aren't all equal regarding cleaning effectiveness. That's right — some dishwashers clean a lot better than others. This is usually down to the type of feature inclusions these dishwashers have, so this is certainly something you'll want to take a look at. However, dishwashers with more features tend to be more expensive.
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5. Efficiency
This is perhaps the most important thing to consider whenever you want to buy a dishwasher. As you know, dishwashers require a connection to an electric supply. This, of course, means that you can reasonably expect your electricity bill to be higher than what it was before you got a dishwasher. The degree of increase will, however, depend on the particular dishwasher.
You should know that this only applies if you use only normal-temperature water to wash your dirty dishes. If you heat your water with a water heater before washing, you'll find that switching to a dishwasher is actually a more conservative option.
Some dishwashers have a high energy rating, and this means that they are very conservative in energy consumption. So before choosing a dishwasher, you should check its energy rating to be sure that you won't have to start paying very high electricity bills when you start using it.
Dishwashers vs. Hand Washing
Speaking of efficiency, if you're new to using dishwashers and you discussed your intention to buy one with several people, you'll have heard a lot of contrasting views. Some people are of the opinion that handwashing dishes is better and more efficient than using a dishwasher. They state reasons, such as water consumption and energy efficiency, as to why hand washing plates is better both in the short and long run.
You should, however, know that this isn't true at all. Cleaning your dirty dishes with a dishwasher is actually more water-efficient than doing so manually (handwashing). Now you might be thinking, "how is this possible?" Or, "so, how much water does a dishwasher use?" Read on to find out!
How Much Water Does A Dishwasher Use?
Generally speaking, studies have shown that dishwashers consume about three gallons (about eleven liters) of water. Handwashing dishes in your sink, on the other hand, can consume as much as 27 gallons of water per washing "cycle." This basically means that a dishwasher is about 80% more water-efficient than regular handwashing.
Interestingly, this is only on a "general" term because there are dishwasher options that use even less water per wash cycle. So if you want more specifics as to the question, " how much water does a dishwasher use per cycle?" Or "how much hot water does a dishwasher use?" You should know that it actually varies depending on the type of dishwasher in question.
Types Of Dishwashers
The main types of dishwashers include the following:
Built-in Dishwashers
Built-in dishwashers are some of the most common dishwasher options on the market. This is largely because they have very efficient or conservative designs. Most people prefer built-in dishwashers because they take up less space than freestanding dishwasher options, and they tend to be very stylish. Beyond this, however, built-in dishwashers are also very water-conservative. It is worth mentioning at this point that built-in dishwashers vary in size.
Does Size Matter?
Absolutely! The size of a dishwasher is one of the major things that determine how much water it consumes. Smaller dishwashers have lower load capacities, so they require smaller amounts of water for their operational needs. The bigger ones, on the other hand, require a lot more water because they'll contain more dirty dishes for washing.
Built-in Dishwasher Sizes
Built-in dishwashers come in a few standard sizes for easy installation. Here are some sizes and our top picks:
18" Built-in Dishwashers
This is the smallest built-in dishwasher size available on the market. 18" built-in dishwashers are perfect for use in kitchens with limited space. They are also perfect for people who do not wash a lot of plates at a time. Because of their smaller size, 18" built-in dishwashers tend to use relatively small amounts of water per cycle.
Featured Product: The Bosch 300 Series 18" Black Built-In Dishwasher
Small, powerful, and efficient. These are all terms that can be used to describe the Bosch 300 Series Built-in Dishwasher. Its 18" size makes it a perfect addition to any kitchen space, even one with limited installation room. Don't be deceived by its small build, though, because this Bosch 300 Series Built-in Dishwasher is actually one of the best dishwasher options on the market. Beyond its size, it has several inbuilt technological features that make it an excellent kitchen addition.
Key Features
- WiFi and Smartphone Compatible
- Adjustable Upper Rack
- 18" Size
- AquaStop® Plus
- 46 dBA Noise Rating
- Energy Star Qualified
- Stainless Steel Tub Build
- 1 Year Warranty
Water Consumption: The Bosch 300 Series Built-in Dishwasher only consumes about 574g of water annually.
24" Built-in Dishwashers
24" built-in dishwashers are, as you would expect, bigger than their 18" counterparts. This ensures that they offer a lot more dishwasher capacity. However, it also means that they won't be able to fit into spaces that are built for 18" dishwashers. So they are not recommended for people with limited kitchen space. Because of their large capacity, 24" built-in dishwashers tend to consume more water than 18" ones. However, it has to be said that regardless of this, they still do not use up as much water as handwashing.
Featured Product: The KitchenAid 24" Stainless Steel PrintShield Built-in Dishwasher
Shop this KitchenAid Dishwasher
If you want a dishwasher that offers you powerful cleaning results with minimal water and energy consumption, then the KitchenAid 24" Built-in Dishwasher is the perfect option for you. This dishwasher has a 24" size that ensures you'll always have more than enough room to wash large loads of dirty dishes at once. In addition to this, it also has a 39 dBA Noise rating, making it one of the quietest dishwashers on the market. The KitchenAid 24" built-in dishwasher also has several high-tech features that will ensure you'll be able to use it to get easy and convenient dishwashing results.
Key Features:
- Print-resistant Stainless Steel Finish
- 39 dBA Noise Rating
- 24" Size
- Utensil Rack
- Adjustable Middle Rack
- Heat Dry Feature
- StainGlide® Rails
- 5 Wash Cycles
- Microfilter System
- Energy Star Qualified
Why Is Water Usage An Important Consideration?
Water usage is an important consideration for choosing a dishwasher because it determines how much you pay in terms of your water bill. Using a dishwasher with high water consumption will result in more expensive water bill expenses and vice versa.
There is also the fact that water is very important to the environment. A dishwasher with high water consumption is not environment-friendly, so it isn't recommended for use. The same also applies to handwashing.
If you are tired of washing dishes by hand and using up gallons of water each day, stop by Arnold's Appliance, where our experts will find you a dishwasher that suits your lifestyle among our vast inventory of dishwashing appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
A built-in dishwasher typically costs between $400 and $1,500, depending on the brand, features, and finish. Premium models with advanced wash cycles or custom panels can go even higher.
Standard built-in dishwashers are usually 24 inches wide, but there are compact 18-inch models ideal for smaller kitchens or apartments.
Installation usually ranges from $150 to $500, depending on the complexity of the job and whether additional plumbing or electrical work is needed.
If you're looking for a built-in dishwasher nearby, stop by Arnold's Appliance. We offer a great selection, expert advice, and local service that big box stores can’t match.
Why Trust Arnold's Appliance?
Arnold's Appliance started in the summer of 1956 when it opened its doors as Lakeshore Appliance in Redmond, Washington. John Arnold and his family have since grown the store from just a few brands to the large appliance store it is today and moved to Bellevue in 1999 in search of a larger building. Arnold's Appliance now offers high-end innovative products from over 45 manufacturers.
In addition to extensive product knowledge, Arnold's has been providing fine appliances to Northwest builders, remodelers, designers, architects and developers for over 47 years. Arnold's currently supplies products and installation to many of the finest custom and spec home builders in the Pacific Northwest. Along with single-family housing, Arnold's has also supplied products for some of the largest multi unit projects in the area. Arnold's Now the third generation of the Arnold's Family is dedicated to bring the best quality products, delivery services, and installation to customers for years to come.
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Stop by Arnold's Appliance Bellevue, WA location to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop dishwashers online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you learn more about how much water does a dishwasher use — whether you call us at 425-454-7929, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
→ Learn more: The Most Efficient Way to Load a Dishwasher