Dishwasher Eco Mode: What It Does and Savings

What is dishwasher eco mode?

Eco mode is a wash cycle setting found on many dishwashers, often labeled as ECO, Eco Friendly, or Energy Saver. It is designed to minimize the amount of water and energy a cycle consumes while still cleaning dishes effectively.

This cycle typically uses a lower water temperature and reduces the volume of water used per cycle. Instead of relying on hot water and high-pressure spray to blast away food, an eco cycle extends the wash time so that enzymes in modern detergents have more time to break down food soils.

Common features of an eco cycle include:

• Lower wash water temperature, often in the range of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the model.
• Reduced water volume per cycle.
• Longer wash and rinse phases to compensate for gentler conditions.
• Air drying or fan-assisted drying instead of a heated drying element, which is a major energy draw.

How eco mode saves water and energy

The main way an eco cycle saves water is by using fewer gallons per cycle. ENERGY STAR's key product criteria for certified dishwashers require standard-size models to use no more than 3.2 gallons per cycle, and compact models no more than 2.0 gallons per cycle. An eco cycle is one of the ways manufacturers meet these thresholds.

Energy savings come from heating less water. Because much of a dishwasher's energy use goes to water heating, a lower wash temperature directly reduces consumption. Eco mode often also disables the heated dry feature, allowing dishes to air dry or use a fan-assisted dry that draws less power.

According to ENERGY STAR, an energy-saving wash cycle is one of the options you should look for when buying a dishwasher. The program also notes that soil sensors, which many eco modes incorporate, help adjust water use based on how dirty the dishes actually are. This is why eco mode pairs well with the soil sensor technology explained in our buying guides.

Why eco mode takes longer

To compensate for reduced water temperature and lower water pressure, an eco cycle runs longer. The wash and rinse phases are often extended so that the detergent has time to work at a lower temperature. This is why a normal cycle might finish in under two hours, while an eco cycle can run for three hours or more, depending on the model and load.

The longer duration is not a sign of poor performance; it is a trade-off between resource conservation and time. If you have heavily soiled pots or greasy pans, the longer soak can actually improve cleaning, but for lightly soiled everyday dishes, the cycle may seem unnecessarily long when you are in a hurry.

If you are deciding between an eco cycle and a standard cycle, consider the cycle time differences and how they affect your scheduling.

When to use eco mode

Eco mode is best for everyday loads of normally soiled dishes, glasses, and flatware. It is ideal when you are running the dishwasher overnight or while you are at work, because you do not need a fast turnaround.

Avoid eco mode for heavily soiled items like baked-on casseroles, greasy pans, or dishes that have been sitting for a long time. In those cases, a heavier cycle with hotter water and more spray pressure is more effective. Also, if you use the rinse and hold feature, that uses a fraction of the water needed to hand-rinse, so pairing it with eco mode can help on the next load.

Consider these guidelines:

• Use eco mode for plates, glasses, silverware, and moderately soiled bowls.
• Skip eco mode for pots with baked-on food, greasy pans, or heavily stained plastics.
• If you need dishes quickly, choose a shorter cycle like express wash instead.
• For normal cleaning tasks, compare eco mode with the normal vs auto cycle to see which suits your soil level.

Tips for getting the most from eco mode

To make eco mode work well, scrape food scraps off plates instead of rinsing them. ENERGY STAR notes that pre-rinsing increases total water and energy use. Just scrape and let the dishwasher do the rest.

Run full loads. A dishwasher uses about the same amount of energy and water regardless of the number of dishes inside, according to ENERGY STAR. So wait until the machine is full before starting an eco cycle.

Check your model's manual to see if eco mode is compatible with other options like heated dry or sanitize. Some options may override the eco mode's energy savings. For example, selecting heated dry will negate the energy savings from air drying. You can read more about how to read the EnergyGuide label to understand the energy impact of different settings.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does dishwasher eco mode actually save money?

Yes, by using less water and energy per cycle. Because it lowers water temperature and avoids heated drying, your utility bills will likely decrease over time. The exact savings depend on your water rates and how often you run the dishwasher, but the resource reduction is real.

Is eco mode the same as ENERGY STAR?

No. ENERGY STAR is a certification given to dishwashers that meet strict efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA. Eco mode is a specific cycle on many machines. A dishwasher can have an eco mode and still not be ENERGY STAR certified, though most certified models include an eco-like cycle.

How long does an eco cycle take?

It varies by model, but an eco cycle is almost always longer than a normal cycle. Some eco cycles run for three hours or more, while normal cycles are typically two hours or less. The extended time allows the lower temperature water and detergent to work effectively.

Does eco mode dry dishes as well as a normal cycle?

Often not as quickly. Because eco mode frequently turns off the heating element, dishes may remain wetter unless the dishwasher has a condensation drying system or you leave the door open afterward. You can check your model's features to see if an air-dry option is included.

Can I use eco mode for all loads?

For the best results, use eco mode on lightly to normally soiled dishes. Heavily soiled pots and pans benefit from a hotter, higher-pressure cycle. Eco mode may struggle with baked-on residues, so stick to heavier cycles when needed.