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Energy efficient
Dishwasher
buying tips

The Good Guys has a large range of energy efficient freestanding, built-in, under bench, integrated and drawer dishwashers from top brands like Fisher & Paykel, Miele, Bosch, ASKO, Haier, Smeg, LG, Westinghouse and more.

Choosing the most energy efficient dishwasher

There are many factors to consider when choosing a new dishwasher for your home. Choosing an energy efficient model can help you save on your power bills, remember that dishwashers have two costs - the purchase price and the ongoing running costs. Check out our Dishwasher Buying Guide to learn more about what to look for when buying a dishwasher.

Energy Rating

Look for the energy efficiency star ratings and WELS water efficiency ratings. More stars = higher energy efficiency rating which could help you save on overall running costs in the long term.

Energy consumption

Look for the energy consumption numbers on dishwasher star rating labels – this tells you the expected energy use in kilowatt/hour per year so you can compare different models and choose the most energy efficient dishwasher. Hot tip: Running the dishwasher only when it's full and opting for a cold wash can help reduce energy consumption.

Size

Choosing the right size dishwasher for your house is important – too big and you’ll waste energy doing half loads, too small and you'll have to do more loads than necessary. Double drawer dishwashers are great for small and larger loads, plus you have the option of stacking dirty dishes in one drawer and doing a load with the other.

Water connections

Dishwashers that only have a hot water connection tend to use more energy, so it's worth looking at a dishwasher that offers both hot and cold connections for better energy efficiency.

Cycles & options

Some dishwashers have an eco-friendly or economy cycle for washing lightly soiled dishes - this is a great way to help save energy and water usage. Dishwashers can also have a Delayed Start option so you can set the cycle to start during off-peak power periods for utility bill savings.

Sensors

Certain models include sensors that can detect how long a cycle needs to run and are able to select the perfect temperature for sparkling-clean results.

Drying

Selected dishwashers are designed to dry dishes using ambient air rather than relying on a heating element. Air drying consumes less energy since there is no extreme heat exposure. Some models have an auto-open feature, so the door opens to naturally air-dry dishes when the cycle is done. Others also use fans to circulate air, speeding up the drying process.

Racks & baskets

Some models have cutlery racks and adjustable baskets so you can fit pots and platters in – make sure the slots fit in both your plates and utensils.

Close-up image of someone interacting with the touchscreen on a dryer

What is a star rating?

The star rating is about energy efficiency – that is, how much energy a product uses compared to similar products. More stars means it's more energy efficient, when compared to other models of a similar size and features.

Dishwashers are given between 1 and 6 stars for energy efficiency. For more information on how to estimate your running costs, go to the Energy Rating Website.

How to read the Energy Rating Label

In Australia, dishwashers are required to carry an Energy Rating Label. The more stars, the more energy efficient. Estimated annual energy use in kilowatt hours (kWh) is displayed on the middle of the label. For more information, go to the Energy Rating Website.

How to read the Water Rating (WELS) Label

Did you know that dishwashers use significantly less water than washing by hand? In Australia, dishwashers must carry a WELS Label. There are three parts to the label.

  1. The star rating at the top shows the water efficiency of the product. The more stars, the more water efficient.
  2. The water consumption rate in the middle shows the amount of water used.
  3. The company name and the WELS licence number are at the bottom for reference.

For more information about the Water Rating (WELS) label, visit the Water Rating Website.

More tips, advice & buying guides

FAQs

How much water does a dishwasher use?

How much water a dishwasher uses depends on the WELS rating, according to energy.gov.au a 6-star rated dishwasher uses 9.5L per wash while a similar machine with a 3-star rating uses 17L per wash1.

Do dishwashers use hot water?

It depends on the model - some have built-in heaters while others use a hot water supply to run hot cycles. If you want better energy efficiency, it's worth utilising cold cycles as well.

Are dishwashers energy efficient?

Sustainability Victoria recommends choosing a dishwasher with at least a 3.5 star rating for both energy and water2. This will ensure your dishwasher is energy efficient which could help save water and electricity compared to dishwashers with lower star ratings. Use the Energy Rating Calculator to help find an energy efficient dishwasher.

Disclaimers:

  1. https://www.energy.gov.au/households/water-efficiency
  2. https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/save-energy-in-the-home/reduce-dishwasher-costs-at-home