Energy-efficient dishwashers use less water than hand washing.
Washing dishes by hand is the least expensive method up front, and requires few special tools. However, using an automatic dishwasher can save time, energy and water. A high-efficiency dishwasher, operated correctly, actually uses very little water and gets dishes cleaner than hand washing. Older machines or incorrect use can decrease these appliances' efficiency, however.
Hand Washing
According to a study performed by the University of Bonn, washing a 12-place setting of dishes by hand uses, on average, 103 liters of water, or a little more than 27 gallons. In one extreme case, where the water was left running continuously, hand washing required more than 117 gallons. Extremely frugal hand washing using a soak tub and a small amount of wash water used 8 gallons of water.
Efficient Dishwashers
High-efficiency dishwashers, such as those meeting U.S. Energy Star or European A/A/A standards, use as little as 4 gallons of water for the same 12-place setting and get dishes cleaner on average than hand washing, according to the University of Bonn. As of 2009, all Energy Star qualified dishwashers must use 5.8 gallons of water per cycle or less.
Considerations
Older automatic dishwashers may not provide the same efficiency as new models. Dishwashers purchased before 1994 can use up to 16 gallons of water per cycle, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Machines without the Energy Star certification are less tightly-regulated, and can use significantly more water than their efficient cousins.
Warning
Pre-rinsing dishes uses large amounts of water, whether those dishes will be washed by hand or in a dishwasher. According to the EPA, pre-rinsing dishes under the faucet can use up to 20 gallons of water. Since modern dishwashers don't require pre-rinsing, just scrape food off dishes and load. For hand-washing, consider soaking dishes in a reservoir of hot, soapy water before washing. This saves water and helps make washing easier.
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