People living in England and Wales have been warned that higher water bills are on the way, with an increase of up to 21 percent expected to come into force over the next five years. Because of this, it can be really helpful to know some simple yet effective ways to cut down on your water usage at home, and reduce your bills in turn. And one thing that has long been debated is dishwashers and how efficient they actually are compared to hand-washing your dishes.
Thankfully, experts from AO.com have confirmed which of these could save you more money on your water bills ahead of the price increase. Dishwasher expert Gwilym Snook says that there is really only one clear winner between these two methods when it comes to cost efficiency - and that is the dishwasher.
The difference is also a lot more stark than you might have originally thought. Gwilym explained: "According to the Energy Saving Trust, hand-washing dishes accounts for four percent of the average household’s water use – whereas dishwashers make up just one percent. This accounts for washing the dishes whilst leaving the tap running – a common mistake that leads to more and more households out of pocket when facing their energy bills .
When used properly, a dishwasher is more eco-friendly and more hygienic. “Using a dishwasher also helps ensure the water is the right temperature and clean enough to wash dishes thoroughly. This is something far more difficult to achieve when handwashing.
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