I switched my dishwasher to the air dry setting instead of heated dry for 14 days this March. This is what happened

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using the air dry setting could save approximately 15-50% of the energy used per load. This statistic was a compelling reason to try it out, especially since my household runs the dishwasher at least five times a week. If successful, this small change could lead to significant savings over time.

The air dry setting on modern dishwashers typically works by ceasing the heating process at the end of the wash cycle and allowing the dishes to dry naturally through evaporation. This setting uses the residual heat from the hot water to aid in drying, combined with a fan to circulate air through the machine.

While the exact mechanism can vary between models, the general principle remains the same: utilize the heat that has already been used in the wash cycle, rather than generating additional heat solely for drying. This process is inherently more energy-efficient, albeit slower, than heated drying.