180: Get an energy-efficient dishwasher by matthew

Every time you complete this action, you will reduce emissions by an estimated 95 lbs. CO₂e.

If your dishwasher isn’t an Energy Star model, it’s using a lot of electricity and hot water. And if it’s more than 11 years old, it’s probably not doing a great job cleaning your dishes, either. Some things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a new dishwasher:

• Energy Star dishwashers use about 20% less energy and 33% less water than their conventional counterparts to do the same work. Remember to check the estimated yearly electricity use on the Energy Guide label – the most efficient Energy Star dishwashers use about 40% less energy than the least efficient.
• Buying a smaller dishwasher if you have a small household might be tempting. But running a low-capacity model very frequently will end up generating more emissions than a larger dishwasher that is run only when it is full.
• Consider splurging on models with energy-saving features, like the ability to turn off the drying cycle or options that let you adjust for how dirty the dishes are—you’re likely to make back the added cost in reduced utility bills.
• Most new models include booster heaters – built-in components that raise the temperature of water coming in through the pipes. Although a booster heater won’t replace your water heater, it can help you save on utility bills and CO2 emissions. Most dishwashers need water at a temperature of around 140° F to work well. With a booster heater, you can lower your water heater temperature down to120° F and the booster heater will do the rest. You don’t need a booster heater that will raise the water temperature by more than 20 or 25° F: any higher and you will be generating more emissions than you need to get your dishes clean.

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