Cost comparisons, ie wash up by hand or dishwasher?

crockpot

While I was making tea tonight, in my new Remoska, bought to save fuel.

I was looking round the kitchen.

It got me thinking, should I still use the dishwasher or wash up by hand? Instant gas heated water.

Should I wash at 30 wool wash,slow spin or use the 40 mixed wash fast spin, no other options.

Should I defrost and sell my small chest freezer, although I do tend to bake or cook in bulk and freeze.

I have already started turning my microwave of inbetween uses as I read it cost £50 a year to keep it on all the time with the clock on!

I know differant machines use more water/elec, but ant idea where I can find a website with this info on?

Thanks

Dustykitten

I've often pondered these questions - there are some threads on the green and ethical board which might interest you.

Here is one I remember:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=567977&highlight=dishwasher

Addiscomber

How long is the pipe run from where your gas water heater is located?

When we decided to get a dishwasher I got the product leaflets to see how much water they used, and measured how much water we had to let run from our hot tank in the bathroom, as the same amount would be left in the pipes to go cold. For us the dishwasher uses far less water, so we figure that that is cheaper. As I am no longer working I have dug out an old kettle and use that on the gas hob when I only need a smallish quantity of hot water.

4$£&*(£$&*(!

I'm on a water meter and worked out it's far more efficient both in electricity costs and water saving to use a dishwasher than wash by hand. I plumbed my dishwasher into the hot water rather than cold so the water's already warm and not using so much electric to heat it in the dishwasher.

No idea how your washing machine operates, try emailing the manufacturer. My manual states the 40 degree mixed wash is the most efficient cycle on the machine but you sacrifice that with time - a cycle takes 3 hours to complete. Fine for me as it's all saving money.

Only you can work out if you need your chest freezer! I've turned my microwave off for years, never could understand why they had clocks on them.

[Deleted User]

I am getting most dishes washed in warm water for free if the weather is sunny. I use a camp kettle and keep it in the sun and lately received a solar shower which gave me great results yesterday during the one sunny spell in the afternoon. I did remove the shower head by the way and partly filled it. It acts just like a solar panel

crockpot

Dishwasher is approx 1/2 meter from gas heater, both on ground level.

Will have an eat up and see what freezer situation is!

There is an Aldi openning 1 mile from us soon, I am going to get a wally trolly-bag on wheels and walk!

Need to save money as it looks like I will be redundant soon!

amcluesent

My dishwasher (3/4 size) takes 1.3KWhs for a normal cycle, at 10p/KWh that would be 13p. I feel it's money well spent, but of course don't run unless full.

NB For a microwave clock to cost £50/year, it would need to draw at least 40W (assuming 10p tariff), possible but unlikely.

Lisa46

I switch my microwave off when not in use. Washing mc is used on 30 deg wherever possible. I only have the dishwasher on once a day, I add to the dishes during the day then put it on after the evening meal though I wash up by hand a little. Since we got the OWL I have been SHOCKED by how much electricity we use with some appliances, the shower and kettle stunned me the most!!!

bluewomble69

We last had a dishwasher four years ago when we moved - we always ran it only when full and even for the cost it's much better than hand washing. You can't get close to the way they do glasses. *sigh* I loved my dishwasher!!

We tried the 30 degree cycle on the washing machine but found the results to be unacceptable (i.e. didn't actually clean properly). You just have to try these things.

space_rider

I too have started turning off my microwave. I also turn off things like the freestat, dvd player and also my digital radio as that feels very hot if its left on without it actually being turned on so surely must be using electric.

1carminestocky

I actually ENJOY washing the dishes! For the record, I'm male, straight and wouldn't consider myself terribly domesticated (I've been married for 26 years so I accept I must be partly so). I am a gadget freak but have never even considered getting a dishwasher, though of course fully accept that some people wouldn't be without them. I wash up in luke warm water and the crockery comes out just fine.