Energy-Efficient Dishwashing
No matter how new or old the dishwasher you're using, follow the following for better energy use:
Run only full loads in your dishwasher. Fill the racks according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Run the dishwasher at off-peak times (like bedtime) to take advantage of any lower rates your electricity company offers.
If you have a dishwasher with a built-in heater, drop the temperature on your water heater to about 120 degrees. This should significantly reduce your water heating costs since each 10 degree reduction in the water temperature setting cuts the heater's energy consumption by 3-5 percent. But remember to select the built-in feature if the dishwasher doesn't do so automatically if you actually want your dishes clean.
Choose the "light" wash setting when you can as it uses less water and runs for less time. Next best is the normal cycle. Use the "heavy" or "pots/pans" cycle only when the load is quite dirty.
Air dry the dishes instead of having the dishwasher pump hot air over them. Either choose the no-heat drying option if you have one or just turn the dishwasher off after the end of the rinse cycle.
 This next tip pains me to say as it goes against everything my mother taught me, but here goes. Do NOT rinse dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. Those who should know say that modern dishwashers can do the job without help. At least scrape the dishes into the trash and drain liquids off the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, though. Do it for my mother.
By the way, they say that it takes more water (therefore more hot water, therefore more energy to heat water) to hand wash dishes than to run a full load in the dishwasher, particularly if you hand wash small loads and rinse each piece individually.
Consider moving your dishwasher away from the refrigerator so the heat from the dishwasher doesn't make the fridge work harder.
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