Why isn't this an Energy Star appliance?

Question

I'm considering buying a portable dishwasher. There's one that is marked as "super energy efficient" and it only uses 200 kwh per YEAR. It uses 2.3 gallons of water on a normal cycle. However, it's NOT an "energy star" appliance.

Why wouldn't this appliance have received an energy star rating? Isn't it more efficient than some "official" Energy Star appliances? I'm really confused about this.

I'm tired of handwashing dishes, because it's so time-consuming, uses a lot of water, and hurts my hands (I have carpal tunnel). I'm also trying to bring my daily energy usage down below $2/day. (Right now I'm at $3/day.) So I'm wondering if this appliance would help me, or if it's not even worth it if it's not Energy Star?

Answer 1

I don't have any idea. It does seem like that would be energy star. Check over at http://www.goinggreenresources.com/modul...

They have a whole section about buying appliances.

Answer 2

It may sound like it is energy efficient but it may not be.  How big is it?  Maybe it only hold a small load of dishes so those 2.3 gallons arent doing as much as you thought.  And that 200 kwh per year is a bad guess at how much energy you may use.  Look for the fine print and see what their guessed "average usage" is.  Depending on how many times a day or a week you use it this number will fluctuate.  Companies will try and make their product look energy effiecient just to sell it, but if you sit down and think about the figures they are giving you, you can see that they are lying.  Another possibility is that it is manufactured in another country where and they have not sumbited their product for approval.  To be energy star efficient a product has to go through some testing.  I would not buy this product and look for another one if I were you!  -Alan

Answer 3

I think some of the energy star products are from companies that choose to participate.  I don't know if all companies are connected to the energy star program. Do you know what I mean?  Or maybe the product you are buying is close to the energy star rating but is short a little bit so it can not qualify.  If you can find out the qualifications for the energy star dishwashers you can see how good or bad the dishwasher is that you want to buy.