Common dishwasher mistakes driving up households bills | Personal Finance | Finance
You could be losing money by not loading your dishwasher correctly.
A survey of 2,000 adults who own this kitchen appliance revealed that a third load theirs at least once daily. While over one in 20 households (6%) run theirs ten times or more every week.
The study was commissioned by Utilita Energy, following the release of its Power Price List; showing how much 76 commonly used appliances cost to run per minute, average use, cycle, or when left on standby.
Dishwashers typically cost around 26p per use, amounting to an average cost of £66 annually. But not loading them properly could mean households are paying more than necessary.
Whether it was in regards to how the cultulery was stacked, or where the glasses go; households regularly disagree on how to fill the applicance. Of those who live with a partner, 52% have disputes over the correct stacking of the dishwasher.
A spokesperson for the Utila Energy said: “Dishwasher etiquette varies from family to family. But there’s one thing common across all users, and that’s just how long we spend sticking things into them and taking them back out once they’re clean.
“Dishwashers don’t just take up time, but they also cost money to run, so you want to make sure they’re working as efficiently as possible.”
According to figures from OnePoll.com, more than a fifth (21%) admit they’ll happily turn the dishwasher on when it’s only half full, costing households around £38.84, which amounts to a staggering £171 million per year across all households.
On the other hand, one in five people have had to re-run their dishwasher after noticing it hadn’t cleaned to their satisfaction, resulting in additional costs.
Interestingly, only 25% of individuals have taken the time to read the manual or watch a tutorial on how to properly use their dishwasher, which may lead to incorrect usage.
According to energy experts, using the ‘eco-mode’ can save households an average of £24.30 annually, but only 27% of people do this regularly. Yet, a mere 15% of respondents are aware of the cost per cycle of running their dishwasher.
A spokesperson for Utilita Energy commented: “When it comes to loading a dishwasher, there are a few simple guidelines that can help ensure everything comes out clean and undamaged.”
“People often try to fit as much as possible into the dishwasher to save time, but cramming dishes together can block the spray arms and prevent water and detergent from reaching all the surfaces.”
“Ensuring enough space between items is crucial to getting the best results and saving you money on your bills.”
