It simply cannot be overstated that investing in energy-efficient appliances is advantageous to the environment and your wallet. And among the most planet-conscious appliances is the dishwasher.
Think about it: Dishwashers inherently save you on energy costs, time, and labor by using only four to six gallons of water per load compared to the 27 gallons it can take you to wash dishes over the sink. To further unravel this statistic, the average dishwasher uses six gallons of water per cycle while the average ENERGY STAR® rated dishwasher uses four gallons per cycle.
Engineered to be as efficient as possible, many of today’s dishwashers come with soil sensors to detect how messy your plates, drinkware, cutlery, cookware, and cooking utensils are to adjust water levels and cycle settings accordingly. As you can imagine, this automatic feature can save you water and energy consumption since the dishwasher would use only what it needs—after all, no two meals are alike, so it makes sense for your post-dinner cleanup to be just as varied.
By the same token, your friends in the business at Spencer’s TV & Appliance have compiled a list of our best energy-efficient dishwashers. See how you can reap the benefits of environmentally conscious features from select Bosch, GE, KitchenAid, LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool dishwashers.
1. From Bosch…
All dishwashers from Bosch are ENERGY STAR® qualified, with the Bosch 300 Series 24” Built In Dishwasher (SHEM63W55, SHEM63W56N, and SHEM63W52N) using 3.5 gallons of water per cycle and 269 kWh annually. This dishwasher’s state-of-the-art system uses an advanced sensor to inspect the level of soil in the wash and adjusts both the water temperature and length of the wash cycle to eliminate redeposits. What’s more, this sensor can also determine if a secondary, fresh-water fill is necessary, deleting the cycle whenever appropriate to save water and energy by up to 20 percent.
According to product reviewers at The New York Times, when comparing features and price point, this Bosch appliance ranks as the highest-rated dishwasher in the industry. Touted for its quiet performance at a sublime 44 decibels and an adjustable third rack that offers a total of nine possible rack positions, this model works like a premium built-in dishwasher—but it sells for a midrange price.
2. From GE…
The GE® 23.75” Fingerprint Resistant Built In Dishwasher (GDP645SYNFS and GDP665SYNFS) uses an estimated 270 kWh in a year, channeling water economically for all eight wash options, including tall-item Bottle Jets, Dry Boost™, Steam PreWash, and a sanitize option.
In addition to an AutoSense cycle that automatically adjusts settings according to soil level to maximize energy savings and ensure clean dishes, this GE dishwasher offers a one-hour wash option you can deploy when you’re short on time. And while this goes against advice for energy conservation in appliances, this model lets you wash a half-load in either the upper or lower rack of your dishwasher without sacrificing cycles and options available on a full wash.
3. From KitchenAid…
Using as little as 2 gallons for Rinse Only cycles and as much as 5.9 gallons of water for Express Wash cycles, the KitchenAid® 23.88” PrintShield™ Built In Dishwasher (KDTM404KPS and KDTM404KBS) keeps up with your lifestyle to set the table for any affair, from pre-dinner snacks to multi-course meals. This ENERGY STAR® dishwasher uses 270 kWh per year and sensors to measure soil levels throughout the cycle and adapts wash time and water temperature as needed for tough messes or lighter loads.
Allowing grimy cookware and delicate glassware to be washed together in the same load, this KitchenAid dishwasher uses microfiltration to continuously remove food particles during the wash and rinse cycles while circulating clean water to dishes in all three racks. If that’s not enough, its ample third rack has a deep, angled design that fits drinking glasses, mugs, and bowls. The FreeFlex™ third rack also features rotating wash jets, a drying bar with tabs that help wick moisture off glasses, and a removable utensil tray for cooking tools.
4. From LG…
Our best-value pick is the energy-saving LG 23.75" Built In Dishwasher (LDF5545SS, LDF5545BD, LDF5545BB, and LDF5678SS). Ranked as Best Overall by Editors’ Choice in 2020, this highly efficient dishwasher uses 258 kWh per year and between 3.4 and 5.6 gallons of water for most loads.
And with four spray arms instead of the customary two, its QuadWash™ targets dishes from multiple angles for the ultimate clean. Day or night, it doesn’t matter when you run this LG dishwasher—with a whisper-quiet operation at 46 decibels, you won’t have to worry about noisy disruptions during post-dinner conversation or nighttime repose.
5. From Samsung…
As far as ENERGY STAR® qualified models go, the Samsung 23.88" Fingerprint Resistant Built In Dishwasher (DW80R9950US, DW80R9950UG, and DW80R9950UT) is beyond impressive, offering 7 wash cycles, 8 options, a 39-decibel operation, and Wi-Fi connectivity—all while using between 2.5 and 5.7 gallons of water per cycle and about 239 kWh per year.
If that’s not enough, this energy-saving dishwasher has a linear wash system powered by AquaBlast™ jets that provide corner-to-corner coverage for superior cleaning. This is only bolstered by Zone Booster™ technology that provides an additional water stream to the bottom-left area for hard-to-clean pots and pans. And at the end of the cycle, the AutoRelease™ Door is prompted to open, circulating air and improving drying performance.
6. From Whirlpool…
The Whirlpool® 24” Built-In Dishwasher (WDT730PAHZ, WDT730PAHV, WDT730PAHB, and WDT730PAHW) contains all of its ENERGY STAR® peers’ greatest hits, namely a sensor cycle that automatically sets the right wash and dry options for each load, a soil sensor in the Normal cycle, and a low estimated yearly electricity use (270 kWk).
Thanks to Fan Dry, you can get cabinet-dry dishes straight from the dishwasher with a fan to push out moist air while helping pull in fresh, dry air. And with an adjustable upper rack, a sanitize rinse option, a stainless-steel interior door, and a stain-hiding plastic tub, it’s no wonder Whirlpool is the industry’s best-selling dishwasher brand.
Let Us Help You
In short, for the best energy-efficient dishwashers on the market, look no further than our digital catalog! Whether you call or visit us at any of our Spencer’s TV & Appliance locations, our friendly staff of experts is always happy to help.