by Paula Mitchell-Bentley

Created on: January 26, 2009

There are three main problems with dishwashers that have a harmful effect on the environment. These are: water usage, power usage and chemicals used in the detergents. There are ways to make dishwashers more environmentally friendly that are easy to do and can help to save money as well. Here are some easy solutions to make dishwashers cost less and be less wasteful.

Only run your dishwasher when it is full. Using your dishwasher only half full not only wastes water, it wastes electricity as well. These are both valuable commodities both financially and environmentally. Cutting back on your dishwasher's use will save money, time, water and energy.

Buy energy star appliances when replacing older models. These newer appliances use less energy and water which will save money in the long run. They have a special rating system which makes these appliances more environmentally friendly than other models on the market. Newer dishwashers are also generally quieter than older models which can be really nice if you set it to run while you're asleep. If you have an older dishwasher, make sure that it has no leaks anywhere. This will save water as well as renovation costs from small leaks collecting on the floor over a long period of time. Make sure you check periodically for leaks when the dishwasher is running.

Try to use your dishwasher at non-peak times. There are certain times of the day that many people are running appliances such as the dishwasher which puts a strain on the power companies ability to distribute power. Many electric companies say that 6-7 p.m. is the "power hour" and would really like it if people used their dishwashers later to try to even out power usage spikes. Many dishwashers have timers on them that can be set to make the dishwasher start after you've gone to sleep.

One of the major problems that dishwashers have is the type of detergents commonly used in them to clean the dishes. Phosphates, in particular, are used in most detergents and is quite harmful for the environment and our water sources. Newer detergents are coming onto the market that are phosphate free. There are even some that are chemical free, all natural detergents. These are what are now recommended for use to try to save the water supply.

Overall, dishwashers should be used sparingly. No one expects people to give up their use entirely but if these easy tips are followed, the environment will suffer less harmful effects from their use.

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