Your dishwasher is probably one of the most used appliances in your house. Modern-day dishwashers can save you a lot of time and effort as they enable you to stack them with dirty dishes that, an hour or so later, come out sparkling clean.
Keeping track of your dishwasher’s age, effectiveness, and energy consumption can help you determine when it could be the right time to purchase a new one. In this guide, we will discuss all the key things to look out for to ensure you always have an efficient dishwasher. We’ll then finish by providing tips on selecting a new dishwasher.
Your dishwasher is old
The age of your dishwasher is the primary indicator of when it’s time to replace it. While this may seem obvious, many people don’t know how long their dishwasher will likely last, so they keep an old one for much longer than they should. On average, a new dishwasher should get you between seven and twelve years of continuous use. If your dishwasher is approaching or within this age range and not functioning correctly, it’s worth considering purchasing a replacement.
Your dishwasher isn’t working properly
If you notice dishes are consistently coming out dirty, it’s a sign that you should consider replacing your dishwasher. However, before purchasing a new one, it’s important to ensure that you have been cleaning it regularly in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Your dishwasher is damaged
Due to the mix of water and metal, dishwashers are prone to getting rust damage. When this happens, it can negatively impact its operation, and repairs can sometimes be difficult. If you start to notice rust, it might be time to consider purchasing a new dishwasher. Additionally, you need to watch out for other damages, such as broken door seals and spray arms, which can be expensive to fix (unless you can handle the repairs yourself).
Your dishwasher is loud
When a dishwasher starts making loud noises during wash cycles, it can often indicate a faulty internal component. It might be time to consider purchasing a brand-new dishwasher, depending on which part it is and how expensive it is to replace.
Your energy bills are high
If your home appliances are costly to run, it could be time to consider upgrading to more energy-efficient models. Since dishwashers consume a lot of energy during operation, upgrading to an energy-efficient dishwasher can result in significant cost savings over time.
How to choose a new dishwasher
When deciding to purchase a new dishwasher, several key factors need to be considered, such as its size, features, and energy efficiency rating. To assist you in making an informed purchasing decision, we’ve compiled a list of the main considerations.
What size dishwasher do you need?
The first consideration to think about is the size of your new dishwasher. You must ensure it will fit into the space you have designated. Dishwashers come in various heights, widths, and depths, so measure the space and check the specifications before clicking the buy now button.
How much capacity do you require?
While this question will be answered mainly by which size dishwasher you buy, you will still have a few different options for the internal capacity of your dishwasher. The capacity you choose will largely depend on how many dirty dishes your family creates daily.
What’s your budget?
You also need to consider your budget and make a shortlist of dishwashers within your price range. Although it can be tempting to go with cheaper options, you should also consider the quality of the appliance, as higher-quality dishwashers will last much longer.
What is the energy efficiency rating?
Dishwashers with high energy efficiency ratings will mean lower energy costs. Over time this can result in significant savings and is better for the environment.
How noisy is the dishwasher?
Loud dishwashers can adversely affect your quality of life – especially if you live in a smaller house or apartment. Most dishwashers for sale will have a decibel rating that you can check.
What features does it have?
New dishwashers have many features, like multiple drying options, timers for delayed starts, and more. You can even operate some of the better models through a mobile app. These features can make life easier for you, so make sure you look up all the feature options to choose the best dishwasher for your needs.