To hand wash, or not to hand wash — that is the question
Whether ’tis nobler to wash by hand or use other facilities…
It’s typical to commit an act of inefficiency under the assumption that you’re doing something the best way possible. Like leaving lights on all day because you think you’ll break the bulb flipping it on and off.
Or hand washing your dishes because you think you’re saving money. Other people do it, and it seems to work. And machines just use more energy. Always. Right?
Over at Reviewed, they found that almost 20% of Americans who own dishwashers barely use them. What people don’t seem to realize is that they can waste between 20 and 40 gallons of water hand washing dishes. Compare that to the 4 or 5 gallons a dishwasher uses.
Reviewed has a whole article where they even factor in the lifecycle of dishwashers, from the factory to the junkyard. And using a dishwasher still comes out on top. Their findings tell them that in just 10 hand washing sessions, you use more energy than it takes to manufacture a dishwasher. Imagine what a lifetime of hand washing versus using a dishwasher looks like energy-wise?
So, why are Americans still relying on their dishwashers so little, then? Is it because they truly believe they save more money doing it by hand? Or is it just a habitual thing? Or, are people really unaware of how much they’re wasting and don’t care enough to look into it?
What’s interesting is that the apartments we here at PowerSage have tracked used their dishwashers weekly. What’s the difference then? Is it a mark of energy efficiency genius? Or are apartment residents just actively looking for more ways to work smarter, not harder? Either way, we’ve found that our renters are using their dishwashers more than the average homeowner. And they’re saving because of it.
We approve, of course.
The take home? You waste a lot of water and physical energy hand washing dishes. Depending on the load, it isn’t even necessarily faster. Do yourself a favor then: if you own a dishwasher, use it. Please.
Share this with someone who neglects their dishwasher privileges.
