Energy and Water Conservation Strategies for Commercial Dishwashing

In today’s commercial kitchens, conserving energy and water isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s essential for cutting costs and supporting sustainability goals. One of the best places to begin? Your dishwasher.

At RestaurantEquipment.com, we offer a full line of energy-efficient commercial dishwashers and accessories. Below are proven strategies to help your operation use less water and energy without compromising on cleanliness or compliance.

💧 Why Conservation Matters in Dishwashing

Commercial dishwashers account for a large share of a kitchen’s utility usage. Inefficient practices can lead to:

• Excessive water consumption

• High energy bills

• Unnecessary wear on equipment

• Non-compliance with sustainability standards

By optimizing your dishwasher usage, you protect resources—and your profits.

1. Choose an ENERGY STAR® Rated Model

ENERGY STAR® and high-efficiency models combine advanced technologies that reduce utilities while delivering sparkling results. Shop by performance and efficiency at RestaurantEquipment.com’s dishwasher collection.

2. Match Size to Your Volume

Don’t overkill capacity with a conveyor unit for light use, or use a small under-counter machine for daily banquet service. Instead, choose:

• Under-counter models (30–60 racks/hr) for cafés or bars

• Door-type models (80–180 racks/hr) for full-service restaurants

• Conveyor models (200+ racks/hr) for institutions

See our full lineup here: All Commercial Dishwashers 

3. Use Low-Temperature or Chemical Sanitization

High-temp final rinse cycles heat gallons of water to 180°F. Lower-temperature or chemical cycles maintain required sanitization while cutting energy use. Check units that offer both modes in our dishwasher collection.

4. Pre-Scrape, Don’t Pre-Rinse

Skip the pre-rinse—it wastes 2–5 gallons per minute. Instead:

• Scrape or brush plates into a compost or trash bin

• Use built-in food guards or chopper screens

• Empty filters regularly

This saves water and prevents detergent dilution.

5. Utilize Heat-Recovery Features

Door-type and conveyor models often include heat exchangers or water-saving recirculation. These systems reuse heat from rinse water to warm wash tanks or incoming water. See our available models in Commercial Dishwashers 

6. Maintain Proper Water Temperature

For high-temp sanitization, aim for a final rinse of 180°F.
Low-temp chemical cycles typically require 120°F–140°F.
Use a dishwasher-safe thermometer to verify temps—both energy use and clean results depend on accuracy.

7. Regular Scheduled Maintenance

A clean dishwasher runs more efficiently. Include in your routine:

• Daily filter cleaning

• Weekly wash-arm tightening and nozzle cleaning

• Monthly rinse-aid and water softener checks

See replacement parts and accessories in Racks & Parts 

8. Only Run Full Loads—but Don't Overload

Full loads save water and energy

Overloading prevents effective cleaning

Load racks fully without crowding—allow spray arms to rotate freely.

9. Insulate Pipes and Storage Areas

Preheating water reduces runtime and energy use.
Insulate hot-water lines and storage tanks—even short runs help.

10. Monitor Utility Usage

Track usage before and after optimization to measure savings.
Commercial meters or sub-meters work well for this.
Then adjust staff behavior or schedules based on results.

✅ Why Shop Dishwashers at RestaurantEquipment.com?

• Full range from undercounter to conveyor 

• ENERGY STAR® models and heat-recovery features

• Replacement parts, accessories, and installation info

• Competitive pricing, fast shipping, expert support

🔗 Shop All Dishwashers & Accessories 

Optimizing your dishwasher for energy and water efficiency is smart business—and you don’t have to sacrifice quality. By selecting appropriate equipment, adapting your practices, and keeping your machine well-maintained, you’ll see savings in utility costs and sustainability cred.

Find the right dishwasher and accessories at RestaurantEquipment.com today!