So we have a dishwasher. Since we got it our electric bill has virtually not changed (less than a dollar a month), our water bill went down significantly ($12-20/month)

I'm not all up on resources and science. What hurts the environment more, using water or electricity?

Dishwasher obviously uses a lot less water than me washing dishes by hand, but will the small amount of electricity it seems to use impact the environment more?

I'm not sure which one is best.

I do prefer dishwasher at this point, for convenience, time it takes and water bill, but I'm trying to be a bit more Earth conscious these days.

Anyone knows?

I think less than a dollar a month change can be explained elsewhere even from the dishwasher. Our electric bill is NEVER the same month to month. If you are saving that significant amount of money on water bill alone, that is huge. Of course, our water bill is $50ish a month, that amount of savings would be fantastic for us!

If you have a dishwasher, use it unapologetically. lol I think they use less water than hand washing.

I had a dishwasher for 10 years before moving here last year. We lived for nearly the whole last year without one until I had my dh put one in for our anniversary. lol ;)

My hands alone feel so much better--they were in the water so much last winter that they cracked and bled--it sucked. So that alone has me convinced that the dishwasher is for me. :)

I agree. Use the dishwasher! :lol: And if I remember, I think you are in NC? I'm just across the border in SC, and I know that there is a huge drought all over the two states and the rest of the Southeast. We are still on drought restrictions, so I would think that saving water would be the first priority right now. All of our lakes and rivers are *so* low, and lots of smaller ponds and lakes have completely dried up.

The difference in your electric bill could be explained by your heater/gas pack. The fan coming on for the heater always makes our bill go up a few dollars, as compared to the spring and fall when we don't use any "air conditioners".

I read up on it and feel pretty good about using the dishwasher. Although we don't pay for water, it is still a resource. Plus, it frees up so much time that I can spend doing other Earth-friendly things. ;)

Thank you for input, I really appreciate :)

I say use the dishwasher with a smile. I was without one 2 years ago for 8 months when it broke and when I got it back I was on CLOUD NINE!!

I read that a dishwasher is better, too, but not as good as washing in a wash tub, then rinsing in a rinse tub. But, who has time for that???

They also said it was best to just put the dishes in the dishwasher and not pre-wash them by hand. That's a big issue for us. This house came with an 11-year-old dishwasher and it's not as efficient as I'd like.

I read that a dishwasher is better, too, but not as good as washing in a wash tub, then rinsing in a rinse tub. But, who has time for that???

They also said it was best to just put the dishes in the dishwasher and not pre-wash them by hand. That's a big issue for us. This house came with an 11-year-old dishwasher and it's not as efficient as I'd like.

I agree. I don't prewash. I have a dishwasher about the same age. We got it last year for my bday for $50 from the trader. :D

The key with ANY dishwasher, new or older, for not having to prewash: hard food disposal and built-in water heater. Ours has that and a metal tub, too. It's a Kitchenaid. Those were awesome dishwashers back in the day. :) I think mine is from around 1992? Knock wood, it is still going strong.

Speaking of hot water heaters, when I take a bath it uses all of the hot water. This wasn't always the case - we used to all be able to bathe/shower in one night (two older girls shower).

Is it the cold weather? What should I do? It also doesn't seem to refill very quickly at all. I think they just replaced it last year, though, and it's WICKED hot coming out, so I know it's not the thermostat (I know, bad mommy, having the water over 120 - but if I turn it down, I REALLY don't have a warm tub)

Speaking of hot water heaters, when I take a bath it uses all of the hot water. This wasn't always the case - we used to all be able to bathe/shower in one night (two older girls shower).

Is it the cold weather? What should I do? It also doesn't seem to refill very quickly at all. I think they just replaced it last year, though, and it's WICKED hot coming out, so I know it's not the thermostat (I know, bad mommy, having the water over 120 - but if I turn it down, I REALLY don't have a warm tub)

Does your water have high turbidity? Maybe there is rust build up in the bottom of your water heater that is reducing the storage capacity?

Yeah build up can do that. We had that problem in our old house.

Here we got a Paloma, that heats water as needs, we never run out and it doesn't heat up water that won't be used, no tank, no waste of space and energy, I love it :)

Yes, rust/corrosion in the tank is the usual cause. You should empty the tank into a drain, then let it refill, as part of standard maintenance - I think once a year?

I'd love an on demand HWH but our basement is too cold for it - can't get below freezing and ours often does. We did a tank style propane-fired and got a 50 gallon one. That would be my other question: is the tank as big as your last one? When we moved in, the owners had an older 30-gal electric. It had lots of corrosion, to the point where it was not working properly and it was caked on and couldn't be cleaned easily (but elements could be replaced), but on top of that, the 30 gallons just wasn't enough for a couple of people to take a shower in a row.

The cold weather doesn't help...you have to run it hotter to warm up the tub, so you run out faster.

Oh, gosh - I have NO idea. I guess we need to figure that out.

Ours doesn't last as long for showers either, but it is an air/heat problem. Our bathroom is very cold, and therefore cools the hot water faster while showering. Baths are about the same as far as output.

Is your water heater wrapped? We have a hwh jacket on ours, and it does help with heat retention and heat loss.

I'd love an on demand HWH but our basement is too cold for it - can't get below freezing and ours often does.

Ours is outside, we did research and the HD crew specialize in that kind and there are no issues with it being exposed to very cold temps, as long as the water pipes are properly insulated.

ETA: Paloma PH-28ROFS 199,000 BTU Tankless Water Heater Outdoor Unit: Designerplumbing.com (http://www.designerplumbing.com/store/PALOMA03.html) meant to be installed outdoors.

I vote for dishwasher! I would rather handwash LAUNDRY than handwash dishes.

I do scrub gunk off the dishes first though.

hot water heater- I have the same problem with my hot water running out fast. I am in a rental and am moving in March so, unless it comes down to ZERO hot water, I could care less about possible rust or corrosion build-up.
Bad tenant huh? (well my landlords aren't that great either).