We might automatically use our appliances on normal or intensive settings for speed, convenience or from past bad experiences. However it may be worthwhile checking how good the Eco settings actually are. These modes are probably the ones used for the Energy Rating label on the product and they are generally created to get good results with the lowest energy use and lowest water use.

In the dishwasher (previously reviewed here) we saw how the Eco mode cycles colder water for longer to achieve similar results to a hot wash. Since it uses more energy to heat water than to pump it round for longer, it is more energy efficient and cheaper to run a longer cooler cycle.

In the washing machine, the Eco modes tend to wash in cold water. Standard modern detergents are formulated to be effective at lower temperatures and so cold water washing may be very effective.

Have a look in the appliance manual to compare the energy and water use for each mode. For the dishwasher pictured here the energy use in Eco mode was 64% of that used in normal mode and 55% of that used in intensive mode. Water use was 77% of that used in normal or intensive modes.