Washing machines use a certain amount of energy to run each load. For example, running two loads half full uses more energy than one full load (1). Therefore, running a full load is a more efficient use of the energy needed just for operating the machine (2). According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “a single large load saves you about 25% to 50% of the energy of two small loads.”(1)
To further increase the efficiency of your dish washer, pack the dishes strategically without overfilling (3) to maximize the use of space while ensuring that the water spray reaches each dish (4).
See other energy saving hints for dish and clothes washers:
(1) Trent Hamm, January 25, 2012. “Only run full loads of dishes and clothes,” The Christian Science Monitor (csmonitor.com/Business)
(2) Scott Minos, Feb. 14, 2018, “16 Ways to Save Money in the Laundry Room,” Energy.gov.
(3) Sarah Aguirre, February 8, 2021, “10 Dishwasher mistakes and how to avoid them,” The Spruce (thespruce.com)
(4) Ada Tseng, May 20, 2022, “To pre-reinse or not to pre-rinse? How to use your dishwasher during the drought,” Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)