I am beginning to think I might come out cheaper by hand washing (GROAN! LOL).

We have a new energy star dishwasher, but a normal cycle takes 2 hours to run. I do not use the heated dry option.

We have well water so no water bill to worry about (at our old house we had city water so we had a usage fee and then a sewer fee that was based on usage, so every drop of water you used really made a difference on running that bill up).

It seems all I would be running up bill wise by hand washing would be a bit of electric (to heat the water - electric water heater - and to run the well pump........... both of those things would come into play with the dishwasher as well, but it just really seems like I could hand wash cheaper).


http://cluster.energyguide.com/esu/FaqContent.asp?bid=NSTAR

Is it cheaper to wash dishes by hand?

Sometimes it is cheaper to wash dishes by hand, but often using a dishwasher can be more efficient. The answer depends mostly on your washing habits. Typically, 85-90% of dishwasher energy consumption comes from heating water. If you use less hot water by hand washing then you are saving energy by doing so. Dishwashers generally use about 10 gallons of hot water per wash on the regular setting. Keep in mind that when you wash dishes by hand you usually use a mix of hot and cold water so that 10 gallons in a dishwasher compares to about 15 gallons of total water hand washing. If you leave the water running while washing dishes then 15 gallons gets used pretty quickly, probably in about 5-7 minutes. However, by filling a double basin sink, using one for washing and one for rinsing, it is easy to use less than 15 gallons and conserve energy.

What is the booster heater switch/energy saver switch on my dishwasher?

Most dishwashers have a booster heater that heats water to the 140oF that is generally recommended for complete cleaning. If your water heater is already delivering water at this temperature then you can turn off the heater. It is more efficient to lower your water heater temperature, 120oF is usually adequate for all other purposes, and use the booster heater for the additional temperature required.

I would say hand wahing as long as you don't leave the water running.

I do both. On days I don't work, I hand wash. On days I do work, I run them through the dishwasher. I do this because it saves me time....which is valuable to me.

Hand washing!!

When my dishwasher died, my electric bill dropped $20 a month:D

From personal experience I'd definitely say hand-washing is CHEAPER!!

BUT....

*dun dun dun*

it depends on how much time you have & how many dishes you've got to do.

I keep my dishwasher (it's kinda new so it's got all these bells & whistles I haven't learned yet) so that it doesnt auto-heat dry the dishes.

If i'm lazy (which is usually) I keep the dishes in the washer for an hour after it's completely done. The residual heat from the water/steam will dry them some... but the air cooling inside will do the same.

I noticed a difference of about 15$/month if I didnt use the heat dry function on my dishwasher. 15$ could be a movie rental with popcorn, soda & candy! for a night. (w/no dishes, except paper plates if necessary! *giggle)

So if you've got the time to handwash - go for it.
Unfortunately, I don't have the time for the amount of dishes we use. So I do dishes probably 3 times a week (a monster load of dishes) and push "Go" & get more housework done while they're doing that which gives me more me-time or more family time.

Sue.
:dishes:

 I run my dishwasher only when it's full, and do other things (ie: chasing my very active toddler!) while it's running. I have a speed cycle on mine that takes 49 minutes, and does a great job getting everything clean. It's a new one (in October) and has energy-saving features. I don't know the actual dollar amounts, but, the time it saves makes it well worth any extra cost to me.     Just my :cents:!

 

Amy...

your dishwasher sounds like mine... w/the energy saving features....

I guess it's about time for me to pull out the manual & see what the rest of the bells & whistles really do...

maybe there's more money saving to be had!

:)


:dishes:

Sue

Originally posted by DaisyLady
When my dishwasher died, my electric bill dropped $20 a month:D


Wow! That's very interesting, Chriss! :thumb:

Sorry if I confused anyone, too. I wasn't really asking for advice, just thinking out loud and wondering what everyone else feels is the cheapest option for them since so many things can come into play (well water vs. city water, gas water heater vs. electric water heater vs. solar water heater, old non-energy efficient dishwasher vs. new energy efficient dishwasher, etc.).

I absolutely hate dishwashing by hand so for me there is no choice at all, it is dishwasher all the way. I do rinse my dishes before I put them in and I wait until I have a full load to wash before I run it and I never use the heated dry but even if it is not frugal, it is money well spent in my book :toothy: .

I wash by hand at times but I'm a 90's kinda girl and I enjoy all of my modern day conveniences...... . I only run that D.W. when it's chock full and air dry.....but I work that thing to death :laugh:

I have no dishwasher:( So, it is only handwashing for me.

I have no dishwasher:( So, it is only handwashing for me. -- baxjul

Same here sister. Besides that, I despise the feel of dishwasher-washed dishes (lol, that sounds funny). They feel... too dry, I think, like there's some sort of chalk or something on them. Whenever I touch one, I get the same feeling down my spine as when you hear fingernails across a chalk board. :yikes: Maybe that's just me, but I don't mind washing dishes so bad and I leave them out to dry -- my friend calls this "Letting God dry them". lol

Besides, I think dish soap costs less than dishwasher soap. Or am I wrong?

Bright Blessings!
Rawiya

hand washer here also, I joke and tell DH that ok this dishwasher is worn out its time to buy a real dishwasher...maybe I should rethink this..

I have 2 dishwashers...one's 14 yrs old and definately not very energy efficient. I am still breaking the other in--although it's 9 years old it's still not very experienced and I have to watch over it constantly...Yup...You guessed...dd and ds...

Most times I prefer to hand wash myself....less breakage that way! Definitely cheaper!