Every modern kitchen should have a dishwasher. These convenient appliances have become a mainstay in homes across the world. The superior cleaning and time savings you get when you buy and install a dishwasher cannot be topped.
Most potential homebuyers list a dishwasher as an essential appliance in homes that they are considering. If you are buying a new dishwasher and are ready to get it installed, not only are you preparing your home for an essential appliance, but you will need to consider a few crucial factors.
There is nothing more frustrating for appliance installers than getting home and finding that the product will not fit in the allotted space. Dishwasher installation should be a smooth and easy process when you do the proper prep work. Let’s take a closer look at a few things to consider before installing your new dishwasher.
Measure First
To ensure that your dishwasher installation goes smoothly, you need to measure your space accurately. Starting at the base of the floor, measure the height of your appliance right to the underside of your countertops. Take a quick measurement of the width of your area and account for a small bit of space on either side for easy installation. If you have a kitchen island that is in the area of your new dishwasher, measure the size of the door to ensure that you can open your dishwasher easily without it hitting your island.
Water Supply
If your kitchen has never had a dishwasher, you need to install the required plumbing for your new appliance. Your dishwasher will need access to a hot and cold water supply. Your sink is the most accessible place to attach your dishwasher to your main water supply. Add a splitter hose to your plumbing to gain access to hot water.
Power Source
Most building codes require you to have a separate power outlet for your dishwasher. If you are installing a dishwasher for the first time, you may need to add a new plug or hard wire system, which is often best left to the professionals. You will need to use a minimum of 12-gauge wiring and install a 20 amp protected circuit breaker to ensure that your dishwasher won’t interfere with any of your other appliance power sources.
Maintenance
You may think that your dishwasher is essentially self-cleaning, but the truth is, there is some regular maintenance you will need to do to keep your dishwasher running efficiently. After some time, your disposal system can become clogged with food particles and needs to be cleaned out. Using chemicals like Afresh will help to rinse out your system and reduce the amount of buildup.
Energy Efficiency
Your dishwasher can consume a lot of power when it runs a regular cycle. Most modern dishwashers now come with eco-friendly settings that run a load with less water and energy. Energy Star dishwashers are designed to be efficient when they run on any cycle and quickly become the new construction industry standard.
If you are ready to purchase a new dishwasher for your kitchen, follow these tips to help your installation go smoothly.