A modern dishwasher often uses about 3–6 gallons for a full cycle. Hand-washing the same dishes under a running tap can use more than that if the faucet stays open. The water-saving story is “full machine, short program,” not “I already rinsed every plate under hot water for two minutes.”
This card is gallons. Heat and dry are the power card. Pre-rinse at the sink is the kitchen faucet card if you want that habit priced honestly.
Half loads are half the dishes and most of the gallons. Eco programs cut water first, then time.
Set gallons per cycle and loads per week. Pair with dishwasher power for the electric side.
At 5.00 per 1,000 gallons, seven 4-gallon cycles a week are 112 gallons a month — about 0.56 of volume. The same week of pre-rinsing at 2 gpm for 5 minutes a day is 70 gallons a week — about 1.40 — before the machine even starts.
Hand-wash myth
A full machine on eco often uses less water than a sink left open. Pre-rinse at 2 gpm is the faucet card and can beat the machine before it starts.
Related
Usage estimate only — not a utility bill, load calc, or advice.