Is it true Dishwashers use more electricity/gas than washing up, or just a myth?

TG82

Just wondered, because I've heard claims and counter claims.

Wanted to know people's thoughts from personal experience.

wallbash

Someone somewhere will have done the sums.

But I'm guessing its more economical to do all the washing up in one go , rather than use a number of bowls of hot water.


Ps even if I'm wrong , will continue to use the dishwasher

lemontart

I had heard it was more economical to run a dishwasher than wash by hand but do not know if that is correct

nickyhutch

I guess it depends how you wash up, too. I hate washing dishes in a bowl of water that's getting muckier and greasier, so only wash up under hot running water. That's not cheap, and is a waste of water, so I prefer the dishwasher. I use an eco cycle so I don't feel as gulity.

moonrakerz

You can read all of this or just the last paragraph on page 22 answers the question.

http://www.landtechnik.uni-bonn.de/ifl_research/ht_1/homeenergy_0504_dishwashing.pdf

LittleMissAspie

Who on earth has 12 sets of dishes though?

nickyhutch

I don't; what has that got to do with it?

kelloggs36

I use 12 lots of dishes at Christmas time??

stevehead

Using gas to heat the water for the washing up bowl and teenagers to do the job, works out well.
From the above reference link, it looks like by-hand can use anywhere from a bit more to a lot more KWh if not careful.
But dishwashers tend to be all electric which costs three times per KWh compared to gas.
So marginal advantage to by-hand and gas hot water, and the kids hate it which is even better!

moonrakerz

stevehead wrote: »

Using gas to heat the water for the washing up bowl and teenagers to do the job, works out well.
From the above reference link, it looks like by-hand can use anywhere from a bit more to a lot more KWh if not careful.
But dishwashers tend to be all electric which costs three times per KWh compared to gas.
So marginal advantage to by-hand and gas hot water, and the kids hate it which is even better!

But with dishwashers you don't have all those dirty, smelly tea towels to wash - more hot water, more electricity, more detergent !

amcluesent

>But dishwashers tend to be all electric which costs three times per KWh compared to gas.<

Anyone want to try their luck on "Dragon's Den" with a gas-powered dish-washer? "I'm in!"

Running my dishwasher on the normal cycle costs 27p. Well worth it!