As an economic Everywoman I think the answer would have Macroeconomic relevance. I’m not the only one weighing purchasing options.
My dishwasher is the same age as our house (built 1987). It’s the only kitchen appliance that hasn’t broken down and been replaced.
Home Depot is having good sales today for President’s Day.
Won’t tariffs raise appliance prices since so many are made in China?
What do you’all think?
Wendy
I generally follow the rule of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
That said, dishwashers have come a long way in terms of both quietness and efficiency since the 1980s. My current dishwasher is a replacement due to the previous one failing, and I really appreciate the fact that I can barely hear it run, even when I’m in the kitchen right by it.
It makes it much more feasible to run the dishwasher as needed during the day, rather than holding off until overnight or just before leaving the house. That also means we’re loading more pots and pans that we otherwise used to hand wash, as there’s no longer a quality of life penalty for running the dishwasher during the day.
Regards,
-Chuck
Regardless of an increase in price due to tariffs, I would replace the dishwasher if it is 38 years old. Why not get a new one on sale unless you really like the old one for some reason.
I’m sort of in the same boat with my water heater - it is nearly 30 years old and virtually all of my neighbors with the same or similar model have replaced theirs in the past 10-15 years. While their heaters have broken down, I would prefer to replace mine before that happens. I agree with in Chuck in many situations that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but there is also the concept of living on borrowed time and being penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Pete
The improvements in Dishwashers in the last 12 or so years is actually rather stunning. Adding to Chuck’s statement, the newer ones I have tested, besides being blessedly almost completely silent, can also clean much much better using “short cycle” washes, as they increasingly have either a steaming function at the beginning or have much more powerful and better placed water jets both on and off the rotors. Also, they use much less water if operated correctly, and as I am using well water I am very careful with water usage.
I am still waiting to buy because Mexico is always very late in getting newer models — I think the companies dump obsoleting models here.
One feature I especially covet is the simple function of automatically popping the door open just enough to air out once the drying cycle is done. After just a few minutes the hot dishes come DRY dry.
Is there a particular model or feature you WANT that you really wish to have? Age is a factor in an appliance, but the tariffs will go away in four years–that is, IF they ever get applied in the first. When the economy goes <splat!!> after tariffs go into effect, guess who will DENY IT ALL ???
I keep thinking about that. My fridge and washer are about 20 years old. My laundry dryer dates from 96. My 1982 dish washer went toes up in 2020. Thing is, laundry and dish washers are not mission critical. I can wash dishes by hand, as I did for decades, and I can use a laundromat, as I did when the pump motor on my washer packed up.
When something is not mission critical, I can run the thing to failure, then buy a replacement at my own pace.
The current administration has made it’s priorities clear. Newer appliances, like everything else, will be much more wasteful of energy and water. They will also cost more, due to protectionist tariffs.
I mitigate the inflated costs, by owning stock in the companies that produce the goods. I employed the same tactic when the #43 regime was helping push up the price of gas, by mitigating the $4 cost at the pump, by having a large position in oil companies.
On this go around, and relevant to this thread, I have a position in Whirlpool. Looking forward to the “reciprocal” tariff announcement in April.
Steve
A risky decision all around. You would expect manufacturers to build inventory before tariffs become effective to avoid them as long as possible. But someone must finance that inventory and pay interest or earn returns on it.
Risky for the manufacturer if tariffs are delayed or negotiated away. What will competitors do? And differences between those who import product vs those who mfg in the US from imported parts.
Also risky for buyers. My crystal ball is a bit cloudy today.
I’d say get it if you need, or will need to replace it in the next 4 years. There will no doubt be sales in the future, but prices are more likely to go up, not down.
Echoing other’s comments, modern dishwashers are amazing. To calibrate, a typical kitchen faucet uses flows at 1.5 gallons per minute.
A modern dishwasher uses about four gallons per load. So the same amount of water as just over two minutes of hand washing. Your 1987 era dishwater probably uses 15 gallons+. I’m confident a modern dishwasher will actually get your dishes cleaner than your existing washer, as well.
Although modern dishwashers do a great job getting dishes clean with minimal water and energy cost, one thing they don’t do well is get dishes dry. When you are shopping, make sure and ask about the drying effectiveness.
Of course that assumes when you hand wash you just turn on the water and start washing, rather than fill a small sink or tub with warm water and start washing from that and run rinse water into the sink/tub.
But in any case I’d go for replacing now with a unit that gets high Energy star ratings and is quiet.
Lowe’s also has a sale now
Mike
When the cycle is done, I leave the dishwasher door open, overnight. They are pretty dry by morning, without using an electric heating element to dry them.
Personal note: I prefer Whirlpool washers, because they seem to have a larger silverware basket than some other brands.
A modern dishwasher uses about four gallons per load. So the same amount of water as just over two minutes of hand washing. Your 1987 era dishwater probably uses 15 gallons+
Besides increasing energy usage, the new administration seems to want to increase water usage.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-roll-back-appliance-light-bulb-standards-2025-02-11/
Steve
Most do have an optional heat cycle to dry your dishes. Works ok if you decide to use it. Addition of a product like Jet Dry helps water drain of the dishes making them faster to dry. Most dish washers have a reservoir for it. If you choose to keep it full.
Plastic dishes are likely to be most difficult to dry. Jet Dry helps.
Don’t worry about the tariffs effecting prices. IMHO, it is no big deal for something you only buy, in your case, once every 40 years. Another question if it is on something you are buying every year or more often.
Even if there was a price increase, the cost savings on water and electricity will more than pay for itself in a few years. Home Depot might have great price but don’t know about service/install. We buy out appliances from a local mom & pop, maybe a little more expensive but have no issues with getting things serviced if something goes wrong.
Don’t cheap out on the purchase.
Buy a high-end one (well maybe you don’t need the one with a light inside).
Cheaper to operate and surprisingly holds more dishes.
That’s in addition to the quiet and better cleaning.