More and more people are choosing to put a dishwasher in their kitchen as well. Indeed, we are talking about an appliance that saves a considerable amount of time, especially if you are numerous or always have guests. However, like any electronic appliance, the dishwasher also involves consumption. That is why today we will look together at some things you can pay attention to in order to save on your utility bill at the end of the month!
Cleaning and maintenance
Among the very important factors that save money are the cleaning and maintenance of the dishwasher. It is easy for lots of food residue and lots of lime deposits and stains of all kinds to creep into this appliance. In this regard, it is a good idea to check the state of cleanliness of the dishwasher at least once a month and do vacuum washes with natural ingredients (vinegar, baking soda, citric acid, lemon juice and whatnot). By following this methodology, not only will you have cleaner dishes because there will be no dirt, but the dishwasher will also require less energy.
Pay attention to schedules
Another mainstay among the tips for saving money with the dishwasher is to pay attention to the schedule! There are, in fact, certain time slots where savings are lower, so you can make use of them and plan your washing cycles well. Consumption based on hours can vary from tariff to tariff, in this regard you should consult your suppliers. However, if we want to evaluate in general lines, the time bands are divided into:
F1: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 19:00, represents the band with the highest cost.
F2: Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 08:00 and 19:00 to 23:00; Saturdays from 07:00 to 23:00. This is an intermediate band where costs are neither low nor too high.
F3: Monday through Friday from 23:00 to 07:00 and during all holidays. This time slot has the highest savings.
Saving by type
You may be wondering what it means to save based on the type of dishwasher, well I’ll explain it right now! Over the years, advanced technologies have meant that household appliances match so many optimizations in terms of programs, temperatures, operation and, above all, saving modes. A more modern dishwasher will consume much less, therefore, than older ones that perhaps take longer to complete a wash cycle and consequently use large amounts of electricity and water. So, if your appliance is old enough and starting to show signs of failing in terms of functionality, it may be more cost-effective to change it than to continually repair it.
Practical tips for saving money
Finally, we can look together at some practical money-saving tips to consider on a day-to-day basis:
- Do the washing only when the dishwasher basket is fully loaded, so as to save the amount of cycles.
- Avoid prewashing and rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher by filling a basin in the sink (without wasting copious amounts of running water).
- Do not overdo the washing temperatures; 113°F will be more than enough to get super clean dishes.
- For dishes that are not too dirty and encrusted, prefer an environmentally friendly wash that has a temperature of about 86°F (modern dishwashers are optimized for this).
- The same argument about prewashing applies to drying. After washing, open the door to let the water evaporate and then dry them by hand.
