How many resources can be saved by changing consumers' automatic dishwashing behaviour?

Abstract

Automatic dishwashers combine capital, energy, and water to provide a relevant household service, namely dishwashing. Consumer behaviour in using the automatic dishwasher influences to a great extend the environmental impact of such a device. But what simple and intuitive recommendation can be given to consumers to save energy and water while maintaining the cleaning performance? This task is investigated by modelling the resource consumption for automatic dishwashers in six European countries by considering the installed base of automatic dishwashers and recently surveyed consumer programme selection behavior. Using this model, a simulation is performed on how three simple recommendations on the programme selection would affect the overall consumption. As a result, more than 20% of the consumed energy can be saved by following these simple recommendations. To facilitate consumers' actual adoption of the recommendations, this publication presents effective communication measures based on the science of consumer behaviour.