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Definitions for Dishwasher product listing column headers
On August 29, 2003, the Department of Energy changed the dishwasher test procedure 
. Manufacturers have until February 25, 2004 to transition to the new test procedure. As part of this standards change, the Department of Energy changed the estimate of the number of times that a dishwasher is run per year from 264 times to 215 times. Since this number is 49 fewer times per year, the annual kilowatt hours (kWh) used per year have decreased for all models. View the Federal Register entry regarding the test procedure for dishwashers (10 CFR Part 430).
Consumers should be aware that models will still be available with the old EnergyGuide label. For models tested with the new procedure, the estimated kWh/year on the old EnergyGuide label will be approximately 20% higher than the estimated kWh/year on the new EnergyGuide label.
This change in the dishwasher standard does not affect which models qualify for ENERGY STAR; since the kWh/year changed for all models, any model number listed here is qualified even if its EnergyGuide label has a higher kWh/year.
Brand and Model
The brand and manufacturer model number identify a particular dishwasher. Retailers can identify products they stock using the brand and model number. Some retailers and manufacturers may also identify models with a trade name or SKU which is different from the brand or manufacturer model number. However, you should be able to find the manufacturer model number on any unit.
Model numbers often contain wildcard characters, such as *, #, and X, that are placeholders for non-energy attributes, such as color.
KWH/Year
This is the estimated annual energy use of this dishwasher in kilowatt hours under typical conditions. It is based on a usage of 215 loads per year. Your actual energy consumption will vary depending on your usage patterns, including how often you run the dishwasher and whether you use energy-saving features or not. This figure is calculated according to Department of Energy test procedures.
NAECA Std.
The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) dictates minimum standards for energy consumption in dishwashers. All standard-sized dishwashers must have an Energy Factor of at least 0.46.
Energy Factor
This Energy Factor is a number computed for each dishwasher which enables you to compare the relative efficiency of different units. The equation for Energy Factor is estimated loads per year (215) divided by the annual energy usage (kWh/year).
% Better
ENERGY STAR rated dishwashers must exceed the minimum federal standard (NAECA standard) by at least 25%. This column tells you by how much each model exceeds that standard.
Active Column
Models that appear in parenthesis and in red are discontinued, but may still be available in stores. Discontinued models will appear on this list for a year after their last production date to allow retailers to clear inventory. These models are still ENERGY STAR qualified, but they are no longer manufactured. Sponsors, such as utilities, may honor incentives for discontinued models at their discretion.
