How to Increase the Efficiency of a Dishwasher

Wash only full loads. The same amount of water and electricity is expelled regardless of the size of your load, but if you wash only full loads, you will have fewer loads and use fewer resources.

Load the dishwasher appropriately. Put some utensils facing up and others facing down and make sure that all dishes are separated and not stacked on top of another item. Don't overload the dishwasher. Your dishes won't get clean if the spray arm can't reach them.

Skip the prerinse cycle. Many dishwashers generate enough water and energy to clean the dishes without having to go through a separate rinsing cycle. Skipping this step will save you up to 6,500 gallons of water a year, according to Consumer Reports. For washing, use the short cycle as long as it gets your dishes clean.

Set the temperature to an appropriate level by adjusting the temperature on your water heater. About 80 percent of the energy expelled during the dishwasher cycle is attributed to heating the water. Keep the water temperature at 130 degrees, which is a temperature hot enough to remove grease and grime but cool enough not to waste energy.

Remove any clogs. Remove the sprayer arm from the dishwasher and check for any food particles. Soak the sprayer arm in vinegar to remove any particles of food or debris that have accumulated inside the arm. Remove your filter that is located by the food drain. Clean the filter according to your manufacturer's recommended schedule. Replace the filter if it has been damaged or has holes in it.

Contact your manufacturer and inquire about a more efficient motor. Many appliance manufacturers will allow you to purchase individual parts from them. A new motor can provide a 10 to 20 percent increase in efficiency.