New Dishwasher Efficiency Rules Could Leave Your Dishes Dirty

The Department of Energy (DOE) introduced a proposal in December which would require new dishwashers to use no more than 3.1 gallons per cycle. Regulations were lowered from 6.5 gallons to 5.0 gallons on May 30, 2013.

Dishwasher manufacturers say that's too strict.

The DOE says no final decisions have been made.

The proposal would take effect in January 2019. Dishwashers would have to cut energy use by 24% and water use by 38%.

Joseph M. McGuire, president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says:

Standards work best when they are developed through consensus.  Unlike the three prior dishwasher standards, the latest proposed energy and water levels were published before manufacturers were consulted. Our testing shows that the impact on dishwasher performance would be disastrous.

Opponents argue the restrictions would cause more people to hand wash and run repeat cycles when cleaning the dishes which would ultimately defeat the purpose of the regulations.

The Hill has this comment from a DOE spokesperson:

The department has not put a fork in this rule, and has extended the comment period to work closely with manufacturers to test new products and ensure that consumers have the most efficient, highest performing products available.

It is important to continue to improve the conservation of both energy and water, but we have to be sure that changes make economic sense and will produce the desired results.