Washing dishes efficiently is a concern for many families, but a recent study by Which?, a UK consumer watchdog, reveals that fast-cycling dishwashers may be a less advantageous choice than it seems. Despite promising time savings, this dishwasher cycle has disadvantages in terms of efficiency, consumption and cost.
Fast cycle: disadvantages highlighted
According to Which?, the quick cycle consumes more energy and water and has lower cleaning and drying performance when compared to the main or eco cycles. “The time saved by fast cycling your dishwasher comes at a price,” said Which?. “Our tests showed that quick cycles clean and dry worse, use more energy and water, and end up costing more than main or eco cycles.”
Performance and efficiency
Which? included testing models from three main brands, evaluating the effectiveness of different cycles. The results were conclusive:
- The quick cycle achieved 74% in cleaning, compared to 83% for the main cycle;
- When drying, the quick cycle achieved 76% efficiency, compared to 82% for the main cycle;
- The quick cycle left more watermarks on the utensils.
Operating costs
Another relevant data was the annual cost of use. Based on five weekly washes, the main cycle has an average cost of £62.82 per year, while the quick cycle costs £68.07 annually, around €81 at the current exchange rate. Despite being shorter, the quick cycle uses more resources, making it less economical. “It doesn’t clean and dry as well as the main program, uses more energy and water, and costs more to run,” said Which?.
Other situations to consider
The problem is not limited to the dishwasher. Which? also warned about quick-drying cycles in dryers, which often consume more energy per kilogram of fabric and do not always dry clothes completely. “If your dryer has humidity sensors, it is preferable to use a standard program”, advises the entity.
Recommendations for efficient use
In response to the results, published a guide with 11 steps to optimize the use of the dishwasher. Among the suggestions the following stand out:
- The correct orientation of the dishes;
- Balanced distribution between plates and bowls;
- The use of eco or main cycles, which offer better efficiency.
This study highlights the importance of understanding the different cycles of household appliances and their impacts on consumption and performance. For consumers looking to save money in the long term, choosing the appropriate cycle is crucial, both in terms of efficiency and costs. While rapid cycling may seem practical, data shows that the time savings may not offset the increase in resource consumption.
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