Function

The dishwasher is a wonderful invention that can save you not only time but water. An Ohio State University study concluded dishwashers save consumers 5.8 gallons of water per load over hand washing. If you do a load a day you are looking at a savings of over 2,000 gallons of water a year. Consider the savings more if you stop the unnecessary (if you opt for a new machine) pre-washing your dishes.

As for time, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers reports a dishwasher may save four hours a week over the time intensive hand washing. Multiply that by weeks in a year and you are looking at over 25 eight-hour working days in front of the sink.