Dishwasher vs. Hand Washing: Water Use, Cost & Hookup

Why You Should Stop Hand Washing Dishes

Post author:Brandon Bradley
Post published:July 26, 2021
Post category:Plumbing Tips and Maintenance for Homeowners

Are you still hand washing your dishes? Don’t have a dishwasher (or have one that’s broken)? Whatever the reason is, there are few reasons why you might want to reconsider hand washing and think about finally investing in a dishwasher.

How dirty are your sponges?

Did you know that the average kitchen sponge is dirtier than a toilet seat? Even though you’re washing off excess food particles, you’re also adding bacteria to your dishes and utensils. Dishwashers will clean off most of the bacteria and food particles so you end up with the cleaner dishes.

How much will you save?

Newer dishwashers are more energy efficient and can save hundreds of gallons of water – which, in turn, saves you money on your water bill. Upgrading or investing in a new dishwasher might cost you a few hundred dollars now, but you’ll make it all back between your water and electric utility savings.

Save your time

Not only will adding a dishwasher save you money, it’ll also save you time. You could spend an hour washing dishes, or you could spend your time doing something more productive (or relaxing).

Dishwasher Hookup and Repair in Dayton & Cincinnati

Getting a dishwasher is the easy part — the plumbing behind it is where things go wrong. A new unit needs a dedicated hot water supply with its own shutoff valve, a drain line with a proper high loop or air gap so sink water can’t siphon back into clean dishes, and in most kitchens, a connection into the side of the garbage disposal. On a new disposal, the inlet is sealed by a knockout plug that has to be removed first, and a clogged disposal will back a dishwasher up every cycle.

If your dishwasher is leaving standing water, backing up into the sink, or leaving cloudy film on glassware, the problem is usually the plumbing rather than the appliance — and a drain or supply repair costs a fraction of a replacement. A-Abel has handled kitchen plumbing across Dayton and Greater Cincinnati since 1955, with licensed plumbers and electricians in-house for the dedicated circuit new units require. Schedule service or give us a call.