How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use?

If you’re in the market for a new dishwasher, or if you’re thinking about your home’s water consumption, you may be wondering how much water a dishwasher uses. Whether you live in a drought-prone area or not, it’s always a good idea to try to reduce your household water consumption and save on your water bill. 

While many people assume that using a dishwasher takes more water than hand washing, that actually isn’t true! Dishwashers are generally more efficient than washing your dishes by hand, although water efficiency does vary depending on the model you use and how you use it. In this article, we take a closer look at dishwasher water use, including average water consumption and how to reduce your water usage. 

How Dishwashers Use Water

Before we get into factors that affect water usage, it’s important to know how a dishwasher uses water. Although the method can vary from model to model, in general, a dishwasher operates like this:

• The dishwasher cycle is started, and the bottom of the dishwasher begins to fill with a preset amount of water—usually 3–5 gallons. 
• The water is then heated with the dishwasher’s heating element to the temperature indicated by the dishwasher settings. 
• Once the water attains the desired temperature, it’s pumped through the spray arms. The spray arms rotate and spray water into all dishwasher areas, ensuring all grime and grease are blasted away. 
• The water also dissolves the detergent, which further helps to break down debris and food particles stuck to your dishes. 
• Once the wash cycle has finished, the dirty water is drained away, and the dishwasher fills with clean water.
• The clean water is then pumped through the spray arms to ensure all detergent residue is rinsed from your dishes.
• The water used to rinse the dishes is then drained away, and the drying cycle begins. In some models, there may be more than one rinse cycle to ensure maximum cleanliness. 

What Affects Dishwasher Water Usage?

There are a few factors that influence how much water your dishwasher uses. A good understanding of these can help you choose a model that’s more efficient and can even help you reduce water usage in your current model. 

• Dishwasher age: Older models of dishwashers tend to be less water-efficient than newer models, as technology advancements in recent years have helped dishwashers reduce water consumption. 
• Dishwasher model: Some dishwashers are specifically designed for water efficiency and can achieve the same wash results with less water.
• Cycle selection: Dishwashers have a few cycles, some of which use less water than others. 
• Load size: Multiple small loads use more water to clean the same amount of dishes compared to a fully loaded dishwasher. 
• Detergent variety: Some brands of detergent are designed to work better with less water and will enhance your dishwasher’s water efficiency. 

Differences Between Models And Brands

Some dishwasher brands are designed with water efficiency in mind, and these are the best choices for people who are concerned with minimizing their water usage. A quick way to tell the water efficiency is to check the Energy Star Certification as this relates to both water and energy efficiency. In general, smaller-sized dishwashers use less water than larger ones, but there’s a tradeoff if you end up having to run the dishwasher more frequently. Below are some brands that are known for their energy efficiency:

• Bosch: Bosch is committed to water efficiency, and their 800 series is particularly effective at reducing water usage. 
• Miele: Miele dishwashers also make water efficiency a priority, and their G 7000 series only uses 2.4 gallons of water in each cycle. 
• Samsung: Samsung has several highly water-efficient models, and has a few specially designed features to conserve water, such as StormWash technology. 
• Whirlpool: Whirlpool has some dishwasher models that are highly water efficient thanks to soil sensing technology. This technology senses how dirty the load of dishes is and adjusts the amount of water accordingly, which ensures only the exact right amount of water is used each time. 

How the Cycle You Choose Affects Water Usage

Different dishwasher cycles use different amounts of water, and choosing carefully can have a big impact on how much water you use overall. 

Normal Wash Cycle:

This cycle is ideal for standard everyday dishwashing. Avoid choosing this one for heavily soiled pots and pans, as you may have to run the cycle twice and use far more water. 

Heavy Duty Cycle:

This cycle is best for heavily soiled dishes. It tends to use more water than a standard cycle, so only use this one when necessary. 

Eco Cycle:

Eco cycles are designed to save water and energy. They usually take longer than a standard cycle but can achieve the same results with less water. 

Quick Cycle: 

Quick cycles use less water and run for a shorter time but aren’t as effective for heavily soiled dishes. Save this cycle for dishes that only need a quick clean to avoid having to rewash. 

Water Saving Tips

If you’re not ready to purchase a new water-efficient dishwasher, here are some tips to help reduce your current water consumption:

• Don’t rinse: It may be counterintuitive, but rinsing your dishes actually wastes a lot of water! Modern dishwashers can deal with food residue, so you only need to scrape away excess food before loading it into the rack. 
• Place dishes carefully: Proper dish placement helps ensure everything washes properly. Make sure nothing is blocking the spray arms and that every part of the dishes can be reached by the jets. 
• Don’t run half-full loads: It’s worthwhile waiting until you have a full load before running your dishwasher. This can save significantly on your water usage. 
• Use the eco cycle: The eco cycle uses far less water and energy—just make sure you leave enough time to run it as it does take longer than a regular cycle.