How to Choose a Dishwasher That Doesn’t Waste Money

Buying a dishwasher is more than just looking for one that fits in a rectangular hole under the kitchen counter. In fact, this is just one of several considerations you should take into account when purchasing one of these economical appliances. Aside from the physical size, buying a dishwasher that doesn’t fit your needs can end up costing you money in the long run. Here’s what you need to know.

How to choose a dishwasher that won’t waste your money

First of all, if new dishwashers don’t seem to last as long as older models (like the ones you might have had in your house when you were growing up), it’s not your imagination. Although they were once designed to last decades—they used simple parts that were easy to repair or replace—modern dishwashers have an average life of only about nine years .

This means that you’ll likely have to spend money replacing your dishwasher (relatively) often, and that you’ll want to get one that doesn’t cost more than it needs to run. Here are a few things to consider:

Energy Efficiency Rating

As with any home appliance purchase, look out for the dishwasher’s energy efficiency rating, which in the United States can be found on Energy Star yellow labels . Not only will it provide you with an estimated annual operating cost (based on the country’s average cost of electricity), but also a range of operating costs for similar models so you can make some comparison purchases.

Water use

The amount of water a dishwasher uses in one cycle is directly related to energy efficiency, since it takes energy to heat that water . Plus, if you live somewhere where you pay for water, this is another bill to consider.

Capacity

It usually takes a lot longer for a family of one or two to fill the dishwasher than a family with multiple children or generations under the same roof. And yet, most dishwashers are the same size. Smaller households may want to consider a countertop dishwasher. If they’re not on your radar, let AA Lifehacker’s own Newton enlighten you.

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