Consumer-relevant assessment of automatic dishwashing machines by a new testing procedure for "automatic" programmes

Dishwashers can be found in almost every home and contribute significantly to the domestic consumption of water and energy. Consumers, being aware of this fact, tend to buy products which use less of these resources, as indicated by the information shown on the Energy Label. But, are these products really so economic when used under day-to-day conditions? Especially when programmes other than the default programme are used? The ‘automatic’ programme promises to be a good choice for the consumer who has daily a differing assortment of dishes to be washed. But how can such a programme be assessed and how economic is such a programme compared to the default programme? The first answers to these questions are to be found in this work. (the editor)