Have you found that your dishwasher is consistently taking longer than 3 hours to finish every washing task you give it? It’s actually surprisingly common, and the reason for it might just surprise you.
In this ultimate guide, we’re going to take a look to find out why exactly your dishwasher is so slow, and how you can speed it up! So why waste time? Let’s get into it!
Why Does My Dishwasher Take 3 Hours?
There are actually two potential reasons why your dishwasher might be taking longer to perform an average wash. One of these could simply be that the dishwasher is much older. As a dishwasher gets older, its efficiency will be very slightly degraded. This means that it will be a little slower. If your dishwasher is more than 10 years old, then it’s likely that it won’t be working as efficiently as it once did. There’s potential to fix the error with some expensive repairs, but in most cases, it would be best to replace a slower and older dishwasher with a new model.
However, it’s more likely that your dishwasher is slower because it is set to eco-mode! Eco-mode is a feature found in many modern dishwashers that actively uses less energy, by reducing the temperature of the water. You might assume that a faster and shorter cycle would be more energy efficient, but this actually isn’t the case! In order to heat up water, a lot of energy is used.
The most common reason why your dishwasher might be taking a little longer than usual is that eco-mode is activated. Eco-mode uses less power, which results in a much slower wash cycle that usually takes 3 hours.
How Do You Deactivate Eco-Mode On A Dishwasher?
If you were hoping that your brand-new dishwasher would be a little faster, then it’s worth taking a look to see if eco-mode is activated. Eco-mode settings are often found in different places depending on the model you are using. It’s worth checking the user manual of your dishwasher to find out how to deactivate it!
Is Eco-Mode Worth Using On A Dishwasher?
Though eco-mode might take much longer than the average washing cycle, it’s totally worth using. As we mentioned, eco-mode is able to cut down on energy usage by lowering the temperature of the water.
An ordinary washing cycle needs to heat up the water to a high temperature, to allow for a more effective clean within a shorter space of time. Eco-mode cuts down on energy usage by lowering the temperature of the water. Colder water is less efficient at cleaning dishes, so more time is taken to allow it to get to work.
Because eco-mode uses less electricity it naturally lowers the impact on the environment. If you’re environmentally-conscious, but you don’t want to spend hours scrubbing dishes, then eco-mode is perfect for you. Eco-mode is also great for saving money. With less electricity used for every stack of dishes, your energy bills will be far lower.
Eco-mode is now built into many of the best dishwashers as standard. It’s totally worth making use of it. Though it works a little slower, it can cut down on your energy use, save the planet, and lower bills!
If you have a busy schedule and don’t have time to wait around for your dishwasher to finish a 3-hour cycle, then you may make slightly less use of eco-mode. It all comes down to personal preference and your individual needs.
How Can You Make Eco-Mode More Efficient?
The best way to make eco-mode more efficient is to fill your dishwasher every time you use it. This ensures that none of the water is wasted, and lowers the number of washes you need to perform.
Just be careful not to overfill your dishwasher. Overfilling your dishwasher makes it more difficult for that colder water to do its job. Could you imagine anything worse than waiting 3 hours for your dishes to wash, only to end up pulling them out with bits of food still stuck to them?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Dishwasher Take 3 Hours?
The reason your new dishwasher is taking 3 hours to finish a wash is likely because you have eco-mode activated! Eco-mode lowers the temperature of the water. Without needing to heat up the water, much less electricity is used. This has a positive impact on the environment and your monthly bills. If you want to speed your dishwasher up, simply turn off eco-mode!
Is A 1 Hour Wash Enough For A Dishwasher?
This will depend on the model of the dishwasher you’re working with. If your dishwasher is able to heat the water up to the right level, it will be able to wash dishes efficiently, within less time. Newer dishwashers may also be equipped with more advanced systems that allow water to more easily reach your dishes.
Is It Cheaper To Run Dishwasher Every Day?
Generally, you should try to only use your dishwasher when it is totally full. This way, none of the water is put to waste, and you can cut down on the number of washes you need to perform. If you were to try and use your dishwasher every single day, you’d be more likely to half-fill it before starting a wash.
Is It OK To Run The Dishwasher Half Full?
You should avoid running your dishwasher when it is only half full. Even when half full, your dishwasher will still use the same amount of water as it would if it were full. Half filling your dishwasher before starting a wash is a quick way to waste a lot of water.
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