Soap Opera: Why Dishwashers Win the Sustainability Showdown

Soap Opera: Why Dishwashers Win the Sustainability Showdown

 

         Renovated in 2020, the Greenbelt community is home to The Cabin and The Cottage, each equipped with energy-saving features and awesome amenities like an awesome kitchen. One notable absence from the cabin, however, is the lack of a dishwasher. Hand washing dishes has long been seen as the more eco-conscious method of cleaning. However, modern dishwashers have shattered this longstanding myth. Studies show that today’s energy-efficient dishwashers use significantly less water and energy than handwashing, even when factoring in small loads. This surprising reality makes dishwashers not just a convenience but a tool for sustainable living. In this blog, I will explain why Furman should implement dishwashers in the Greenbelt houses in order to truly follow through on the sustainability claims that we make.

            The cabin piles up dishes in the sink at an enormous rate. Whether it is from ramen cravings late at night or having tons of people over who need cups for their drinks, dishwashing stays in high demand. This means long shifts spent scrubbing away in the kitchen that result in high water usage. One of the most compelling environmental advantages of using a modern dishwasher lies in its efficient water usage. Hand-washing dishes can use up to 20 gallons of water per session, depending on the duration and flow rate of the faucet. In contrast, Energy Star-certified dishwashers use as little as 3-5 gallons per cycle, regardless of load size. This drastic reduction is achieved through advanced spray mechanisms, filtration systems, and water recycling technology that ensure maximum cleaning power with minimal waste. Over time, this efficiency translates to significant water savings, especially in water-scarce areas or during drought seasons. By reducing water consumption without sacrificing cleanliness, dishwashers present a clear win for both the environment and resource-conscious households. On top of the ecological benefits, implementing Energy Star-certified dishwashers would pay for itself over time. On average, the cost for a dishwasher with installation falls around $1200. Throughout its life, the dishwashers would save approximately $3200 in energy compared to hand washing, so the initial payment can be justified financially.

 

The average range to install a new

dishwasher is ~$1000 – $1500.

            With the implementation of dishwashers, maximizing their cost-effectiveness and environmental impact is essential, and many students might not be informed on how to accomplish that. Providing a guide on how to use each dishwasher most effectively is a good idea to help ignorant students. This should include a strong suggestion to scrape plates before racking them in the washer and only running it when it is fully loaded to minimize the number of washes, which reduces energy cost and the lifetime of the machine.

            It would certainly be an investment for Furman and there are some small downsides like the occasional repair that will need to be done and the space that having a dishwasher takes up, but with the new renovations to North Village, now seems like the right time for Furman to take a step towards a more sustainable campus.

 

References-

“Is It Greener to Hand Wash or Use a Dishwasher?” Green Choices,

https://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/at-home/is-it-greener-to-hand-wash-or-use-a-dishwasher.

“How Much Does Dishwasher Installation Cost?” Angi,

            www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-dishwasher-installation-cost.htm#.

“How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use?” Home Matters,

www.ahs.com/home-matters/quick-tips/how-much-water-does-a-dishwasher-use/.