Household expenses are a concern for many UK homeowners, who are looking for ways to save money. Their dishwashers might be costing them more than they think.

Appliance specialists at Marks Electrical are urging households to rethink their dishwasher habits to save money.

Modern dishwashers are energy efficient, but the settings used by households can still increase running costs, especially for families who run several loads a week.

Marks Electrical looked at typical dishwasher running costs for households that run one or two cycles a day.

The findings showed that running one cycle a day costs £109.17 a year, two cycles a day cost £218.34, and one cycle every other day costs £54.59. Cutting back could save £163.75.

A simple switch can save hundreds of pounds.

Households that run one cycle a day can save around £11 a year.

Appliance specialists say that the programme selection and usage patterns can have a big impact on efficiency in the long run.

Michael White, an appliance specialist, says there's confusion about dishwasher settings because different programmes are for different cleaning purposes.

White says there's mixed information about dishwasher settings, and it's not always a like-for-like comparison.

The secret to saving money is using the eco button on the dishwasher. Quick wash cycles are for speed, and intensive settings are for heavily soiled dishes.

Eco cycles clean a full load efficiently using lower temperatures over a longer time. It's like walking 100 metres instead of running.

Michael says eco mode is the most effective setting for regular use because it minimises energy consumption while providing a comprehensive clean.

Eco cycles use lower temperatures and less water, reducing energy usage. For most households, eco mode is the most efficient setting.

Manufacturer data shows that heavy wash programmes use 28% more water and 85% more energy than eco settings.

Households often rely on heavy cycles more than needed, which increases running costs. Simple habits like waiting for a full load and choosing the right setting can make a difference.

Households should avoid running multiple smaller loads, as this can increase annual running costs.

When upgrading, households should review the energy rating of dishwasher models.

Dishwasher energy ratings are based on how efficiently an appliance uses electricity and water during eco cycle testing.