Modern dishwashers, especially those that are Energy-Star certified, use significantly less water per cycle than older models and often less than washing dishes by hand.
The amount of water a dishwasher uses varies greatly depending on its age and efficiency. According to the provided reference:
- A dishwasher created in 1994 used between 9-14 gallons of water to complete a cycle.
- Modern-day dishwashers that are Energy-Star certified will use less than 4 gallons of water for a complete cycle.
To put this into perspective, filling your sink to wash dishes by hand uses, on average, five gallons of water. This means that modern, efficient dishwashers are often more water-efficient than handwashing.
Water Usage Comparison
Here's a simple comparison based on the reference:
| Method | Approximate Water Usage per Load |
|---|---|
| Washing by Hand (Full Sink) | 5 gallons |
| Dishwasher (1994 Model) | 9 - 14 gallons |
| Dishwasher (Modern Energy-Star) | Less than 4 gallons |
This table highlights the substantial water savings achieved with newer, energy-efficient dishwasher technology compared to older models and traditional handwashing methods. Choosing an Energy-Star certified dishwasher is an effective way to conserve water in your home.
