ENERGY STAR Most Efficient vs Standard Dishwashers: Savings

What ENERGY STAR Most Efficient means

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient is a recognition tier within the ENERGY STAR program, not a separate certification. The EPA identifies products in each category that deliver "cutting edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation," as the ENERGY STAR program describes it. These products represent the very best for energy savings and environmental protection among ENERGY STAR certified models.

A dishwasher that earns the Most Efficient recognition still first must meet the base ENERGY STAR criteria. The EPA selects Most Efficient products from the certified pool, applying additional energy and water criteria that are updated annually. The Most Efficient list is published each year, so a model recognized one year may or may not appear the next, depending on whether it continues to meet the updated thresholds.

The key takeaway is that three tiers exist in practice: a dishwasher with no ENERGY STAR certification at all, a standard ENERGY STAR certified model, and a model recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient. Each tier represents progressively stricter limits on energy and water consumption. See how all three compare in our guide to ENERGY STAR dishwashers.

The ENERGY STAR criteria for dishwashers

The current ENERGY STAR criteria for dishwashers became effective July 19, 2023, and are published by the EPA in the program's key product criteria. For standard-capacity models, defined as those holding 8 or more place settings and 6 serving pieces, the limits are 240 kWh per year of energy and 3.2 gallons of water per cycle. Compact-capacity models, holding fewer than 8 place settings and 6 serving pieces, must stay at or below 155 kWh per year and 2.0 gallons per cycle.

These numbers matter because they are the maximums. A dishwasher that meets the ENERGY STAR criteria can use less than those amounts, but it cannot use more. Most Efficient models are held to even tighter consumption levels, which is why they appear on the EPA's annual list of the most efficient products.

If a dishwasher family you are comparing lists its ENERGY STAR status, you can look up the exact annual energy and water figures on the yellow EnergyGuide label before you buy. That label shows the estimated yearly electricity use and estimated yearly energy cost, which the DOE test procedure calculates using 215 cycles per year and average energy costs. The label is one of the most direct ways to compare two models that both carry ENERGY STAR certification. You can read more about the label in our dishwasher EnergyGuide label article.

How the tiers compare in practice

A standard ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher already saves a meaningful amount of water and energy compared with a non-certified model. ENERGY STAR reports that a standard-size certified dishwasher can save about 5,800 gallons of water over its lifetime compared to a non-certified model. Those savings come from soil sensors, improved water filtration, more efficient jets, and rack designs that use less water and energy while cleaning effectively.

A Most Efficient model goes further. Because the EPA chooses Most Efficient products from the certified pool using stricter criteria, these models use less water per cycle and less energy per year than the ENERGY STAR baseline. The exact figures depend on the model and the year of recognition, but the direction is always the same: less consumption.

For a household, the practical difference between a standard ENERGY STAR model and a Most Efficient model is a matter of degree, not kind. Both will save water and energy compared with an older or non-certified dishwasher. Most Efficient models squeeze out additional savings, which may be useful if your utility rates are high or you simply want the most efficient appliance available. You can find Most Efficient models among the best energy-efficient built-in dishwashers.

The technology behind the savings

Modern dishwashers achieve low water and energy use through several technologies. ENERGY STAR's buying guidance highlights soil sensors, which detect how dirty the water is during the cycle and adjust the wash time and water volume accordingly. A dishwasher with an auto-sensing cycle can use substantially less water on lightly soiled loads than a dishwasher that runs a fixed cycle every time.

Improved water filtration keeps food particles from redepositing on dishes, allowing the dishwasher to use less water while still delivering clean results. More efficient jets and redesigned rack layouts help water reach every surface with less volume. Some models also offer an energy-saving wash cycle or the option to turn off heated drying, both of which reduce electricity consumption.

If you mostly run lightly soiled loads, a soil sensor is one of the most valuable features you can buy. If you tend to run full loads of heavily soiled dishes, the wash cycle options matter more. Either way, the efficiency features work best when you also follow two habits that ENERGY STAR emphasizes: scrape dishes instead of rinsing them, and run full loads. A dishwasher uses roughly the same water and energy regardless of how full it is, so partial loads waste those resources.

You can learn more about how the key feature differences affect efficiency in our soil sensor article and our guide to energy-saving settings.

Capacity and fit affect the comparison

The ENERGY STAR criteria treat standard and compact capacity dishwashers differently, and the distinction matters for the Most Efficient comparison. A compact model, holding fewer than 8 place settings, has a lower absolute limit of 155 kWh per year and 2.0 gallons per cycle. But because compact models hold less per load, they may need more cycles to wash the same amount of dishes as a standard model.

The ENERGY STAR program itself notes that compact models may use more energy than standard models over time because of their smaller capacity. A compact dishwasher that meets a low per-cycle limit can still consume more per place setting washed than a standard model. For that reason, the comparison between standard and compact should not be made on the ENERGY STAR criteria alone.

If your household consistently overloads a compact model, you will run more cycles than you would with a standard capacity dishwasher, erasing most of the efficiency advantage. Choosing the right size for your dishes is therefore the first decision, before you compare ENERGY STAR tiers. See our comparison of 18-inch and 24-inch dishwashers for more on this topic.

Water conservation in a broader context

The water savings from an efficient dishwasher matter beyond your utility bill. EPA notes that less than 1 percent of the water on Earth is available for human use, and that communities across the country face water supply challenges. Reducing water consumption in the home, including through efficient dishwashers, helps maintain supplies for recreation, wildlife, and public water systems.

ENERGY STAR reports that a certified dishwasher saves about 8,400 gallons of water per year compared with washing dishes by hand, and that using a certified dishwasher can cut utility bills substantially relative to hand washing. The program also reports that a certified dishwasher uses less than half as much energy as hand washing. Those figures compare dishwasher use to hand washing, not to other dishwasher tiers, but they underline how much water a modern efficient dishwasher can save overall.

When you choose between a standard ENERGY STAR model and a Most Efficient model, the water difference is incremental. Both already save far more water than hand washing. If water conservation is a priority for you, either tier will deliver it, and the Most Efficient tier simply pushes the savings a bit further.

For a deeper look at how dishwasher water use is measured, see our article on dishwasher water usage per cycle.

How to choose between the tiers

Start by deciding whether an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher is right for you at all. If you are replacing an older dishwasher that uses significantly more water and energy, even a standard ENERGY STAR model will deliver a large step down in consumption. Every ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher meets the current federal test procedure and the program's energy and water limits.

Next, decide whether the Most Efficient tier matters enough to narrow your search. The Most Efficient list is shorter than the full ENERGY STAR list, so restricting yourself to it means fewer models to choose from. If you have strong preferences about capacity, noise level, rack configuration, or finish, you may find that a standard ENERGY STAR model meets your other requirements better than the models on the Most Efficient list.

A practical approach is to compare the EnergyGuide labels of the models you are considering. The label shows estimated yearly energy cost and water use. Even two ENERGY STAR models can differ in those numbers, and the label lets you see how large the gap is. In many cases the difference between a standard ENERGY STAR model and a Most Efficient model is small enough that other features should drive your decision.

Browse the best ENERGY STAR dishwashers for a wide selection, or consider specific categories like Bosch dishwashers and Fisher & Paykel dishwashers if you prefer those brands.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Is ENERGY STAR Most Efficient better than ENERGY STAR?

Yes, in terms of efficiency. ENERGY STAR Most Efficient is a recognition tier within the ENERGY STAR program for products that meet stricter energy and water criteria. A Most Efficient dishwasher still meets all the base ENERGY STAR requirements, but it also qualifies for the EPA's annual list of the most efficient models.

How much water does an ENERGY STAR dishwasher use per cycle?

The ENERGY STAR criteria for standard-capacity dishwashers allow a maximum of 3.2 gallons per cycle. Compact models, holding fewer than 8 place settings, may use a maximum of 2.0 gallons per cycle. Models recognized as Most Efficient may use less than these amounts, but the exact figure depends on the model.

Does ENERGY STAR Most Efficient mean the dishwasher cleans better?

No. The Most Efficient recognition is based only on energy and water consumption, not cleaning performance. Cleaning ability depends on wash system design, cycle options, and how you load the dishwasher. An ENERGY STAR certified model includes features like soil sensors and efficient jets that help it clean well while using less water, but the Most Efficient tier does not add cleaning requirements.

Is a standard dishwasher without ENERGY STAR certification less efficient?

Generally yes. ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers must meet the energy and water limits set by the current criteria (240 kWh per year and 3.2 gallons per cycle for standard models). A dishwasher without certification can use more energy and water. The exact difference depends on the model, and the EnergyGuide label shows the estimated yearly costs for any model.

How often does the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient list change?

The EPA updates the Most Efficient list annually. A model can appear on the list one year and not the next if the criteria become stricter or if the manufacturer changes the product's configuration. The base ENERGY STAR criteria are updated less frequently; the current dishwasher criteria took effect on July 19, 2023.