Many people believe that dishwashers "guzzle" electricity and water, but in reality, when used correctly, a dishwasher can be even more economical than handwashing. This article summarizes 8 tips to reduce dishwasher operating costs by up to 30% while still ensuring sparkling clean dishes.
1. Key figures: How much does a dishwasher consume?
A standard 12-13 place setting dishwasher currently consumes:
- Water: 9-13 liters/cycle (ECO program).
- Electricity: 0.9-1.4 kWh/cycle (approximately 2,500-4,000 VND).
- Detergent tablet + accessories: 3,500-5,500 VND/cycle.
Total cost per wash cycle: ~7,000-10,000 VND. Compared to handwashing (dish soap + water + time), which often has more "hidden" costs.
2. Tip 1: Always use the ECO program (50°C)
ECO is the most energy-efficient program (saving 20-30% compared to 70°C). Although it takes longer (~2.5-3 hours), it:
- Uses enzyme soaking for longer → similar cleaning effectiveness.
- 50°C consumes significantly less electricity than 70°C.
- Suitable for 90% of everyday dishes.
Requirement: The detergent tablet must contain active enzymes at low temperatures – such as Largo Classic and Largo All In One.
3. Tip 2: Only run when the machine is full
Each wash cycle uses almost the same amount of water and electricity whether there are few or many dishes. Therefore, you should:
- Load dishes from 2-3 meals before running a cycle.
- Use the "Pre-Rinse" program if you need to prevent dishes from smelling between meals.
A family of 4 typically needs ~5-7 washes/week instead of 14-21 washes.
4. Tip 3: Use All In One tablets correctly
Many people break 2 tablets to "get them cleaner." In reality, excess tablets don't dissolve completely, sticking to dishes and the machine, leading to waste and requiring re-washing. Rule: 1 tablet / 1 wash cycle, regardless of how dirty the dishes are.
5. Tip 4: Add enough salt – long-term electricity saving
Hard water (most tap water in Vietnam contains Ca/Mg) forms limescale when heated, which builds up on the heating element, causing the machine to consume 15-30% more electricity to heat water. Specialized salt restores the built-in water softening system in the machine, preventing limescale.
→ Order now: Largo Dishwasher Salt 2kg – 175,000 VND
6. Tip 5: Use rinse aid → skip the drying step
The drying program at 65-70°C consumes a lot of electricity. If you use enough Largo rinse aid, water won't remain on the dishes, and you can turn off the "Extra Dry" function – saving 0.2-0.3 kWh/cycle.
7. Tip 6: Run the machine during off-peak hours
If you use a 3-tier electricity plan, off-peak hours (10 PM – 4 AM) have electricity prices ~50% cheaper. Most modern dishwashers have a "Delay Start" function. Save an additional 1,000-1,500 VND/wash cycle.
8. Tip 7: Clean the machine once a month
A dirty filter makes the machine pump water harder → consumes more electricity. How to clean:
- Remove the filter and rinse it under running water.
- Wipe the door gasket.
- Run an empty cycle with 1 Largo All In One tablet to remove residue.
9. Tip 8: Buy in combo to save on supply costs
Saving electricity and water is only half the battle. The other half is the cost of supplies (tablets + salt + rinse aid). The Largo 3-product combo saves 38,000 VND compared to buying separately – equivalent to 5-7 free washes.
→ Order Largo 3-Product Combo – 555,000 VND
10. Monthly savings estimate
| Applied | Savings/cycle | Monthly savings (25 cycles) |
|---|---|---|
| Use ECO | ~800 VND | ~20,000 VND |
| Only run when full (5 fewer cycles/month) | – | ~40,000 VND |
| Turn off Extra Dry | ~600 VND | ~15,000 VND |
| Off-peak hours | ~1,200 VND | ~30,000 VND |
| Largo Combo | ~1,500 VND | ~37,500 VND |
| Total savings | – | ~140,000 VND/month |
1 year: ~1,700,000 VND – equivalent to 3 free Largo 3-Product Combos.
11. Conclusion
Dishwashers do not "guzzle" electricity and water when you use them correctly. By combining the 8 tips above with the Largo product trio, you can save up to 30% on operating costs while still achieving sparkling clean, dry dishes.