While price is obviously a consideration, there are other things to think about when looking for a new dishwasher. The energy-rating label on the front will give you lots of useful information about the product’s energy-efficiency and running costs, including:
Energy rating – from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient.
Energy use in kWh – based on the amount of energy the dishwasher uses in kWh over 100 cycles. The lower the number of kWh, the less energy it will use, and the more money you could save.
Water consumption – an estimate of how much water is used per cycle.
Noise level – measured in decibels with a noise rating between A and D, with A being the quietest.
Drying efficiency – how efficient the dishwasher is at drying dishes – rated from A to G.
Just be aware that the energy-rating label is typically based on the performance of the ‘eco’ setting, so you should expect to consume more than indicated if you always use the normal setting.
You should also consider size. Dishwashers always fill to capacity, so if you live alone, or in a small household, it might make more sense to get a slim or compact dishwasher for greater energy-efficiency.