So your dishwasher now makes some weird noises or it simply doesn’t get dishes clean anymore. That means it is time to check out something new. What do you need to know when buying a dishwasher?

There are a few things to consider when making that upgrade. One of the first is size. Most dishwashers are 24 inches wide, but if you have a smaller space, you can get one that is 18 inches. You will want to consider the space you have in your kitchen as well as the number of people in your house. A larger dishwasher will accommodate more people’s dishes.

Another factor you want to consider is your home itself. Are you living in a place that you are going to be for a while or are you moving in just a year or two? A dishwasher isn’t generally something you will take with you when you move, so if you are moving in a few years, you may not want to spend a lot on the dishwasher, whereas if you are at a more permanent location, you will want a dishwasher you can use for a number of years.

Price in dishwashers is another obvious consideration. Prices can start anywhere around $300 and go up to $1,000 or more. When looking at price and the various features, energy efficiency is one thing to look for. More energy efficient dishwashers might be more expensive initially, but Energy Star appliances can save you money off your energy bill in the long run.

You will also want to take a look inside the dishwasher itself and see if it has the room for the dishes you wash on a regular basis. Make sure your dishwasher fits with your lifestyle whether you entertain a lot or you just have a small family.

Consider these factors when looking at dishwashers especially the energy and water efficiency because you could save some money on that electric bill!