There are still many who consider the dishwasher to be a luxury item for those who cannot and will not spend even a minute of their time washing plates. And, of course, you have to be able to afford these luxuries. In fact 73 out of every 100 Spanish homes still wash by hand when, according to the IDAE (Instituto para la Diversificaci�n y Ahorro de la Energ�a), swapping the rubber gloves for a dishwasher means saving at least 60% in water and energy.

The most recent dishwasher models spend far less energy than the older models, up to half in some cases. But there are different types of dishwashers. A class A machine consumers 360 kilowatts per hour (kWh) less per year than that of a class G machine,� which means a saving of 40 euros. This is why you need to check the energy label before buying.

The dishwasher must also have a half load option, which saves up to 30% in water and energy per wash. But if you really want to save energy the best option is a full load. This is why before buying a dishwasher you need to consider your necessities. The most common large and small models - 12 people and 7 people, respectively - are little different in size, consumption and price. However, if you only wash a few dishes a day, you'll hardly ever have a full load. Waiting until it is full means bad smells and plates with hard to remove dry stains.

Also look for a model that gives you the option of choosing fast cycles at low temperatures if the plates are not that dirty as the dishwasher uses 90% of its energy in heating up the water, just like a washing machine. This is why those machines that work with gas preheated water are also worth investigating. These so-called biothermic machines have other advantages: they save time, dissolve the detergent better and, as they use the resistor less, they last longer.

It is always better to soak the plates in cold water in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher so that they don't dry up and you can use the economic mode. You will thus avoid obstructing the filters, which you must clean periodically.

Making the most of the dishwasher's capacity does not mean filling it up to the brim. If you pile plates on to each other, you will probably have to clean them all over again, thus using up more energy. Put the dirtiest ones on the lower shelf, where they are washed by the highest pressure water and the more delicate plates on the top shelf.

Keep the salt and detergent levels full for a more efficient wash; and respect the recommended doses. The remaining detergent only contaminates the residual water and there are bound to be plates that still need to be cleaned.

If your machine does not allow you to jump the drying process - an operation that takes up a lot of energy as it keeps the resistencia hot - switch it off when the wash is finished and open the door so that the dishwasher dries quickly. You'll save 45% in energy.

- The dishwasher takes up 1% of the home's electricity.

- A class A dishwasher model consumes 1.05 kWh per cycle - 0.096 euros - and a class D one 1.90 kWh - 0.174 euros. The latest generation models have also reduced water consumption by 19 litres per cycle and the noise levels to 50 decibels (dBA).

- Washing and drying plates in a dishwasher, a family of four saves 213 hours a year, equivalent to five weeks of work.

- Washing and drying your crockery in the dishwasher at a temperature of 65�C far more hygienic than washing it by hand.

- Only 27% of Spanish homes have a dishwasher. According the ANFEL (Asociaci�n Nacional de Fabricantes de Electrodom�sticos de L�nea blanca), in the year 2000 some 629,100 units were sold, a figure way below that of washing machines - 1,538,600 - and fridges - 1,544,900 -, which are present in virtually every Spanish household