About 80 percent of the energy your dishwasher uses heats the water. Ohio State University researchers say a dishwasher load requires 37 percent less water than washing dishes by hand, if you leave the water running. However, if you fill wash and rinse basins instead of letting the water run, you'll use half as much water as a dishwasher. The savings will surprise you. Use short cycles for everything but the dirtiest dishes.
Short cycles use less energy and work as well.
You'll knock 15 percent off the energy use, and as much as 50 percent in some cases. If there's no air-dry setting, turn the dishwasher off after its final rinse and open the door. The dishes will dry without using any extra electricity. Use cold water, but don't waste water by letting it run continuously. Install your dishwasher away from your refrigerator.