Dishwasher versus handwashing for multiple small loads: efficiency pros and cons... [View all]

[hlthe2b]

Ok, during the week and for the indefinite future, I am working at home and sole member of the household--weekends are quite different.

But for weekdays, I tend to just hand wash all my dishes throughout the day--it is relatively quick and usually includes pieces I use daily that would make including in batched dishwasher loads a bit self defeating.

But, what do you think? While I try not to waste water, is this really LESS energy efficient than using the dishwasher? (I do have an energy-saving air dry feature on the dishwasher, but it is more than 10 years old and probably not all that efficient).

What do you think?