Are smart appliances worth the investment for conservation?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Smart appliances offer a significant reduction in water use, making them a great investment opportunity. Energy Star dishwashers require 13 gallons of water to operate per load, compared to 23 gallons for standard models. This saves thousands of gallons of water per year per household. Again, rebate programs frequently offer 50 to 100 percent coverage of the upgrade cost, making these appliances very affordable.
Dishwashers
- Soil sensors: Adjust water based on dirt level
- Eco-modes: Optimize partial loads saving 5+ gallons
- Efficiency: 13 gallons/load versus 23+ gallons
- Certification: ENERGY STAR models save 3,000+ gallons yearly
Clothes Washers
- Cold-water tech: Eliminates heating energy
- Load sensing: Adjusts water to fabric weight
- High-efficiency: 15 gallons/load versus 30 gallons
- Steam cycles: Reduce water while improving cleaning
Smart Irrigation
- Weather adaptation: Skips watering during rain
- Zone control: Waters plants based on need
- Leak detection: Alerts to pipe failures
- Savings: 30-50% reduction in outdoor use
Whole-Home Systems
- Usage monitoring: Tracks consumption patterns
- Leak alerts: Notifies of abnormal flows
- Remote control: Adjust settings via phone
- Integration: Works with other smart devices
Dishwashers now utilize high-tech features such as soil sensors. They can quantify water levels according to the amount of soil present, saving five or more gallons of water per cycle. They also wash in cold water, which eliminates the need to use energy to heat the water, saving energy and using less water. Eco-mode settings can optimize the performance of the dishwasher for a part-load situation, which causes less waste.
Installation varies by appliance type. Old dishwashers should be replaced during kitchen renovations. For complicated irrigation systems, it is often helpful to consult a professional. Rebate programs make it easier to incorporate conservation technologies through the support of your utility company. You can find local offers by searching rebate databases, such as the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder.
Long-term savings can compensate for initial costs. A highly efficient clothes washer saves more than 6,000 gallons of water per year, so it pays for itself in three years. The cumulative conservation across several appliances changes the water-use characteristics of the household while substantially reducing utility costs.
Read the full article: 10 Practical Water Conservation Methods
