The amount of water saved by not running the dishwasher depends on several factors, including the make and model of the dishwasher, the water efficiency of the dishwasher, the number of place settings washed, and the water usage habits of the person washing dishes manually. However, I can provide you with a rough estimate.
On average, a standard residential dishwasher uses approximately 6 to 16 gallons (22.7 to 60.6 liters) of water per cycle. Newer, more water-efficient models tend to use less water per cycle, while older models may use more.
If you wash dishes manually in the sink, the amount of water used can vary widely depending on factors such as the faucet flow rate, how efficiently you rinse and wash dishes, and whether you keep the water running continuously or not.
A general estimate is that washing dishes by hand can use anywhere from 3 to 5 gallons (11.4 to 18.9 liters) of water per minute with the faucet running continuously. However, if you fill the sink with soapy water and rinse dishes using a basin, you can use significantly less water.
Let's assume a conservative estimate of 4 gallons (15.1 liters) of water used for 5 minutes of hand washing.
Now, let's compare the water usage:
Running the dishwasher:
- Water used per cycle: 6 to 16 gallons (average of 11 gallons)
Washing dishes by hand:
- Water used for 5 minutes of hand washing: 4 gallons
Water saved by not running the dishwasher: 11 gallons (dishwasher) - 4 gallons (hand washing) = 7 gallons (26.5 liters) per cycle.
Keep in mind that these are general estimates, and the actual water usage may vary depending on individual circumstances. Additionally, newer, more water-efficient dishwashers might consume less water per cycle, narrowing the gap between hand washing and dishwasher water usage.