When it comes to looking for a new dishwasher for your home it can become confusing when having to deal with all these different metrics. From dishwasher energy rating to eco wash 5000 it can all be a bit overwhelming! Fortunately, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about the EU energy rating system, explaining the ins and outs of everything from the energy labels you find on the dishwashers within the showroom to how to save money on your energy bills and ensure your dishwasher is more energy efficient.

Dishwasher Energy Rating Explained

When it comes to the energy ratings of a dishwasher it can seem confusing with all these different letters being thrown about however it is relatively simple once you understand the metrics being used. Contrary to many other appliances, the energy ratings for a dishwasher are not based on the energy consumption of the dishwasher. Instead, the energy rating is based on the energy efficiency in relation to the dishwasher capacity. The dishwasher capacity is determined by how many place settings can fit inside the dishwasher in one cycle. This means that on average the larger the dishwasher is and the more place settings you can fit inside of it the greater the energy consumption will be and therefore will be reflected in the energy rating score.

Dishwasher EU Energy Label Explained

When visiting a showroom to look for a new appliance you may find large energy efficiency labels hanging off the side of the dishwashers, with large letters ranging from A to G on them. The current energy rating label uses the New Energy Rating Scale from A to G under the New Label system, and many labels now also include a qr code for extra product information. Older labels used A+, A++ and A+++ classifications before the change introduced on 1 December 2021. The energy efficiency ratings for dishwashers are measured using the EU energy rating system from letters A-G and help compare home appliances by showing not just efficiency but also cleaning performance, drying performance, water consumption and annual energy consumption, so it can pay to focus on long-lasting, reliable kitchen appliance brands when you are comparing models. This is useful across product categories because the label shows annual energy use in kilowatt hours, making it easier to judge how much energy a model is likely to need over time.

A dishwasher that is labelled with an energy rating of A is deemed to be the most energy-efficient dishwasher and will save you the most money on your energy bills. If you want to estimate annual energy, you can use the label data to compare electrical appliances more clearly. A dishwasher that is rated with an energy rating of G will cost you the most money on your electricity bills as it consumes far more energy than a dishwasher with an energy rating of A would do.

How Much Does An A-Rated Dishwasher Cost To Run?

There are many different factors that determine the annual running costs of a dishwasher, but as mentioned previously the most important factor is the size of the dishwasher and the number of place settings it can hold. The Energy Rating Label helps you compare Home Appliances and other Electrical Appliances when buying a New Appliance, showing how much energy a model uses and its annual energy figures at a glance. The energy efficiency ratings for dishwashers are measured on Dishwasher Energy Labels, which show energy use per 100 cycles and list annual energy use in kilowatt hours per 100 cycles on the Eco setting, so you can judge the energy use of each machine. The label also shows water consumption in litres per eco cycle, capacity as the number of standard place settings, and noise level in decibels graded A-D.

This can help you check the power rating data, save energy at home, and choose an energy efficient appliance with a lower carbon footprint. Although a dishwasher may be A-rated, the size of the dishwasher can still determine how much it costs on your electricity bill. For example, an A-rated dishwasher that can fit 4 place settings within it (31kg dishwasher) will cost you an average £36.20 per year on your energy costs. An A-rated dishwasher that can fit 7 place settings within it (42kg dishwasher) will cost you £50 per year on your energy bills. An A-rated dishwasher that can fit 9 place settings within it (50kg dishwasher) will cost you £58.70 on your electricity bills per year and a 14-place setting dishwasher (68kg dishwasher) will cost you £80 per year.

These figures are based on the average person's use of a dishwasher and show how important it can be to understand the energy ratings and the factors on why one dishwasher that is rated as an A-rated dishwasher can be different to another, especially when you compare the best dishwasher brands in 2024 and their latest energy-saving technologies. Many labels now also include a QR Code for more product data, and the same New Label approach applies across several Product Categories of Home Appliances.

How to Ensure Your Dishwasher is More Energy Efficient

With the cost of living rising and more people looking to save money on their energy bills, annual running costs depend on both your dishwasher's size and its Energy Use, so improving its energy performance can help keep each cycle as efficient as possible, particularly if you choose appliances that use Whirlpool's energy-saving 6TH SENSE technology across their cycles. You can estimate costs from the machine's power rating or the kilowatt hours figure shown on the label, and use annual energy consumption to compare models.

Eco programmes often run for longer because they use lower temperatures and less water, helping you save energy, and choosing an energy-efficient appliance can also reduce your carbon footprint through lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Run a Full Load

As simple as it sounds, ensuring that your dishwasher is fully loaded every time you use it is one of the easiest ways to improve its Energy Performance, save energy and cut your bills, instead of doing one cycle after breakfast, one cycle after lunch and one cycle after dinner. Instead, fully load the dishwasher at the end of the day after dinner and include every dirty dish, fork and bowl and wash them all together in one cycle. Each dishwasher cycle uses the same amount of water, electricity and energy so it is common sense that running one cycle over three a day will save you money on your bills!

Choose the Correct Programme

Most new dishwashers come alongside some crazy tech and this goes unnoticed by most owners who just slap on the same cleaning feature each time, and brands like Indesit even offer time-saving Indesit dishwasher technology designed to simplify everyday use, while running full loads helps save energy as well as money. However, features such as auto programmes include technology that can detect how dirty your dishes are and set the cycle optimal for that set of dishes so the correct temperature and amount of water is used. Using this feature can save you money on your energy bills as less energy is being wasted.

If your dishwasher does not have an auto programme, it will most likely have an eco-wash programme that will reduce energy consumption and water use by 30%, typically by using lower temperatures and less water. Although this cycle will take longer, it can cut overall energy use, reduce your energy bills significantly and cost you far less in the total lifespan of your dishwasher.

Scrape Your Dishes

There is no need to rinse your dishes in this day and age before putting them into the dishwasher because most modern dishwashers have the power to clean away tough stains, and many Hotpoint dishwasher models include dedicated programmes for baked-on food. Instead, it is recommended to just scrape off the leftover food and place it into the dishwasher ready to be cleaned. This will save you time and money by not using warm water and soap to quickly rinse the plate!

If you are looking for an energy-efficient dishwasher in the Peterborough, Whittlesey or March area, Kellyvision Appliances have a selection of top-of-the-range dishwashers and washing machines in Peterborough from leading brands such as Hotpoint, Bosch and Whirlpool. Browse our range online today or visit our showroom in Whittlesey.