What is a dishwasher heat exchanger?

The first dishwasher appeared a long time ago, but much has changed since then. Modern dishwashers wash dishes more carefully and gently, while spending less water and time. How is this obtained? One of the elements due to which dishwashing has reached a new level is called a heat exchanger. What kind of unit is it, how it works and in what dishwashers it is used - we will talk about this in the framework of the article.

Dishwasher with heat exchanger - what is it?

A heat exchanger is a special element that is built into the dishwasher, making it energy efficient. According to experts, thanks to a heat exchanger per month, tens of kW of electricity can be saved, not to mention hot water, if the dishwasher is connected to a hot water supply system. The heat exchanger is a wide flat tank, which is adjacent directly to the washing tank. The tank contains cold water, which flows there at the very beginning of the washing program. What happens next?

• The dishwasher draws water.
• Then the heating element is started, which heats it to the temperature with the specified program.
• Then the washing process begins, the circulation pump pushes the hot water out of the tank through the sprinklers into the washing tank.
• Hot water flows from the dishes down to the bottom of the tank, accumulating there and heating the cold water in the heat exchanger.
• Then the water leaves through the filters back to the tank, and then it is again circulated by the circulation pump into the washing tank and so on in a circle.
• During the washing cycle, the tank warms up significantly, giving off the heat of a flat tank with water. So the heat exchanger accumulates heat.

Important! In ordinary dishwashers, a large amount of thermal energy is wasted, heating the air in the kitchen. In machines with a heat exchanger, this heat is used as efficiently as possible.

The main advantages of the heat exchanger

What is a heat exchanger is understandable, how does it work, they also understood in general terms, but it is unclear why it is needed, what functions it performs and what, in general, provides heat recovery? To answer these questions, it is necessary to consider the main advantages of such an element as a heat exchanger. As part of this story, we will outline the main functions of this innovative aggregate.

1. The heat exchanger provides a gradual cooling of the water used for washing dishes. As a result, there are no temperature differences in the tank of the dishwasher, and as a result, ceramic and glass dishes do not crack, but retain their original appearance.
2. The discharge of hot water into the sewer can lead to damage over time. The heat exchanger provides a gradual cooling of the water, as a result, not hot, but already warm waste water is discharged into the sewer.
3. Warm water, which gradually warms up in the heat exchanger, is used by the dishwasher at the end of the washing program in the final rinse. Thus, the last portion of water does not need to be heated and waste precious electricity.
4. Changes in water temperature inside the dishwasher negatively affect not only the dishes, but also the ion exchanger. Under the influence of temperature changes, the ion exchanger, or rather the resin contained in it, is destroyed much faster. Accordingly, after some time, the ion exchanger ceases to fulfill its function.

To save the dishwasher’s ion exchanger, a heat exchanger alone is not enough. In order for the heat exchanger to work for a long time and not let you down, follow the recommendations contained in the article Why do I need salt in the dishwasher.

Note! The ion exchanger is designed to improve the quality of hard water.Minerals that are contained in large quantities in water are deposited in the ion exchanger, as a result, the water becomes soft and better launders dishes.

The heat exchanger not only saves the ion exchanger, it also participates in the drying process of dishes. The fact is that after the final rinse, the heated dishes remain in the tank for drying, however, the moisture that evaporates from it condenses on the ceiling of the tank and drains back to the dishes. As a result, drops and stains remain on the dishes. After the final rinse, the heat exchanger is filled with cold water, due to this, moisture evaporating from the dishes condenses on the wall of the heat exchanger and does not settle back onto plates and glasses.

Experts have proven that in dishwashers with a heat exchanger, dishes dry out 1.5 times faster, while there are much fewer drops and stains on it. And if you use high-quality detergent and rinse aid, there will be no drops or stains at all.

Dishwasher overview with heat exchanger

Finally, we decided to give several examples of models of dishwashers in which the heat exchanger is already installed and works perfectly. We immediately note a dishwasher with a heat exchanger - a rather expensive pleasure, but if you think carefully, the costs will pay off over time.

Built-in dishwasher with heat exchanger brand Bosch SMV 59T10. A middle class dishwasher from a well-known German manufacturer. The average cost is 47,000 rubles. This machine has some very interesting "chips" that give it clear advantages over competitors.

• First, of course, a heat exchanger, and the second-generation heat exchanger is more advanced.
• Secondly, the most complete protection against leaks. With this machine, even in the event of a serious breakdown, your property is safe.
• Thirdly, the quality of washing and drying. This model provides very high quality dishwashing and quick drying. A dishwasher with such washing and drying characteristics can only be found in the premium class.

In addition to the above, the Bosch SMV 59T10 dishwasher is capable of washing 13 sets of dishes at the same time, has a high-quality digital screen, touch control keys and a load sensor. In addition, if necessary, you can enable the lock "from children". The noise level that a working dishwasher emits is quite low, only 44 dB. Be sure this machine will not bother you or your household.

Partially built-in dishwasher Bosch SMI 65M65. The model costs a little cheaper than the above option, about 40,000 rubles. But due to the fact that it is partially built-in, the number of options for its integration into kitchen furniture is noticeably reduced. Bosch SMI 65M65 has the same advantages as the Bosch SMV 59T10, even the characteristics correspond, so we will not repeat. The main difference is that the Bosch SMV 59T10 is fully built-in, and the current Bosch SMI 65M65 is partially.

Note! Partially built-in dishwashers are rapidly losing popularity among consumers, therefore, to attract the attention of people, manufacturers are forced to lower the price somewhat, even on models with the latest equipment.

The next model is a fully integrated Bosch SPV69X10 dishwasher. Its peculiarity is that it is not full-sized as the models described above, but narrow. Its dimensions are only 82x45x55. At the same time, according to its technical characteristics, it almost completely corresponds to the Bosch SMV 59T10 and Bosch SMI 65M65 models. For a narrow Bosch SPV69X10 you will have to pay an average of 58,000 rubles. This dishwasher has another distinctive feature - it has a very convenient program “express washing”, which is very popular among housewives.

In conclusion, we note that the heat exchanger is a simple, but at the same time very useful innovative element that can significantly improve not only the energy efficiency of the dishwasher, but also the quality of washing dishes. So far, dishwashers equipped with a heat exchanger are quite expensive, but over time, it seems, the situation will change.