Many households believe that washing by hand is the environmentally friendly option. However, scientists at the University of Bonn in Germany have found that the latest dishwashers, such as those by Hotpoint, use up to half the energy and one-sixth of the water of hand-washing an identical set of dirty dishes. A recent BBC OneShow investigation also demonstrated that using a sink is the wasteful method to wash up.
Even the most sparing and careful washers could not beat the modern dishwasher. The study also found that dishwashers excelled in cleanliness over hand washing.
There are cost savings to be had too, because less water requires less energy for heating, leading to lower utility bills.
Still not convinced? Let our water saving calculator work out how much water you use washing up every day.
Enter roughly how many minutes per day in total your household spend washing up, then press "Calculate" to work out how much time you will save.
With some Hotpoint dishwashers using as little as 13 litres to wash a 14 place setting dinner service, and with an A energy efficiency rating, there are both water and energy savings to be made versus handwashing.
To make your Hotpoint dishwasher cycle as environmentally friendly and cost-efficient as possible, follow these simple rules:
- Fully load the dishwasher, with room for water/air to circulate
- Use the Eco Wash cycle, designed to use minimal energy consumption but still maintain the great cleaning you would expect from a Hotpoint.
Why are dishwashers becoming the greener option?
- Most dishwashers manufactured since 1994 use less water per cycle than the equivalent required to wash up, because they recycle the water throughout the wash.
- Newer models heat only the amount of water they need - and being cold fill, the water is heated in the dishwasher itself, not in the household's hot water tank or central heating system, where heat gets lost in transit
- A standard 60cm wide household dishwasher is designed to hold twelve place settings, with some newer models washing more, whilst Hotpoint's slimline models, measuring just 45cm wide, will wash nine place settings, using less water in the process and boasting an AAA energy rating.
