Which Is Cheaper: Washing Dishes By Hand Might Vs. Using A Dishwasher

It's an argument as old as the dishwasher itself — is it better to wash dishes by hand or to use the dishwasher. For some, the labor of washing dishes or cleaning the house can be therapeutic, and we aren't here to keep you from what makes you happy. However, if by better you mean cheaper, we definitely have some ideas around that. A brand new dishwasher, on average, will cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200 for a basic to mid-range model, or up to $3,000 for something on the higher end. Expect an additional $150 to $350 for installation. With washing machines having an average five to 15 years of optimal use, you may be able to find a used machine — preferably closer to the beginning or middle of its life cycle — and potentially knock 50% off that upfront cost.

On the other hand, the cost of hand washing is basically the cost of a kitchen towel, a sponge, and dish washing soap. As per Statista, Americans spent around $85.37 on soaps and detergents in 2022, the equivalent of $7.11 per month. If you're looking at it from an upfront cost perspective, that might settle it. But taking a closer look, you may discover hand washing your dishes is a kitchen habit that's costing you money in other ways.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created an ENERGY STAR certification to promote the usage of energy efficient products in 1992, and although it was initially created with computers in mind, it now includes over 50 different product categories. Owning one is just one of a few ways to save money on your electric bills, and an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher burns 12% less energy while using 30% less water than your standard dish washing appliance. On average, new ENERGY STAR dish washing machines will use 10 to 50% less energy than standard units, but scrape food off your plate instead of pre-rinsing dishes. Cascade found this saves up to 20 gallons of water per load, equal to 150 billion gallons when considering everyone who pre-washes their dishes before loading them. Altogether, an ENERGY STAR dishwasher saves 5,800 gallons of water over its life cycle.

The average water temperature to properly wash your dishes is 150 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit and 165 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit to rinse them. Aside from being rough on your hands and wasteful of water, heat, and money, it's also less sanitary to hand wash dishes. Ensuring a full load of dishes with each wash can save you an average 230 hours of free time — time is money — and roughly $210 on your utility bill every year. On the other hand, washing by hand will cost you $3,200 more over 15 years than using a dishwasher.

Finally, an ENERGY STAR certified appliance offers rebates in the form of federal tax credits for consumers. Until 2032, the Federal government will give you back up to 30% of the cost of any household upgrades that lead to greater energy efficiency, up to a total of $3,200. You are automatically eligible for the tax credit so long as the home you're claiming the rebate for is your main residence, owned by you, and located anywhere in the U.S. While you may be thinking this only applies to big additions like solar panels or water heaters, ENERGY STAR dishwashers count as small appliances that will help slash your power bill. You can find out ahead of time which dishwashers are eligible for a rebate through a product finder located on the ENERGY STAR website. This is the best way to spend less on doing your dishes – if you aren't using an ENERGY STAR certified appliance, consider getting one if you live in and own your residence. Whether an ENERGY STAR appliance or not, there's no excuse to not be saving money and time on your dish washing chores.