When installing a kitchen, pros may focus on high-end ranges or convection ovens to tempt buyers. But some appliance manufacturers say the quality of the dishwasher can help ensure that a home buyer is truly satisfied after the sale.

"Builders tend to minimize the importance of the dishwasher because it's not sexy," says Steven Eddy, dishwasher marketing manager for GE Appliances. "You don't see Emeril the chef ever wash a dish. He just goes, 'Bam! I cooked something.'"

With manufacturers focusing on noise reduction, energy efficiency, and appearance, there are plenty of products to satisfy every category of homeowner.

"There was a large gap in dishwashing technology," says Chris Harris, product manager for Frigidaire's dish care division. "Now people can get a product that really makes their life easier."

Shhhh…

Kitchens frequently are attached to family rooms, often forming one large, open space that functions as the heart of the home. So, when you turn on the dishwasher, "you want it quiet or else it gets in the way," says David Karlson, owner of Evanston, Ill.-based Karlson Kitchens, a company that both designs and remodels kitchens.

Remodeler Dwight Van Slyke, owner of San Diego-based A New Kitchen, agrees, rating a dishwasher's sound level as the biggest concern expressed by his clients.

In response, manufacturers are redesigning their products. In October 2004, Dacor pulled its entire dishwasher line. The new 30-inch model, which is expected to be available in January, features a quieter pump and two plastic arms rather than three stainless steel ones. The firm also removed a fan, says Bob Lewis, assistant vice president of product development, and re-positioned the water pump, making hoses more efficient while reducing sound.

KitchenAid enhanced its Whisper Quiet Ultima Sound insulation, adding padding to the noisiest compartments, says Sal Parlatore, senior brand manager for KitchenAid Cleaning.

At GE Appliances, noise was hushed by making wash arms smaller and directing water away from the tub door and toward the dishes so the rinse cycle is quieter, Eddy says.

According to Rene Kan, senior dishwasher product manager for Bosch, 65 percent to 75 percent of noise comes from the dishwasher's bottom. So now Bosch units feature a sealed base containing the motor, which is in turn suspended on rubber hammocks rather than bolted to the tub, a design Kan credits with greatly reducing noise.

Energy Wise

About 85 percent of all dishwashers are Energy Star qualified, according to the Department of Energy. Energy Star is the government-backed program that helps businesses and individuals protect the environment through energy efficiency. The remaining 15 percent meet the minimal federal standard for energy use.

But that could change because new Energy Star requirements take effect Jan. 1, 2007, as required by the energy bill signed into law by President Bush in August. Manufacturers will have one year to adjust their product lines accordingly, DOE representatives say.

Under the bill, consumers can get up to a $500 tax credit for making energy-efficient improvements to their homes. Manufacturers also can receive tax credits for increased production of efficient dishwashers, although the terms of those credits still are being finalized by the DOE, the EPA, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Tax benefits for manufacturers could lead to more energy-efficient models, Kan predicts.

Soil-sensing technologies continue to play a major role in energy efficiency. Manufacturers include sensors in many models that measure the level of soil in water and the respond accordingly. If there is less soil present, less water is needed to complete the cycle. And the less water used, the more energy efficient the product.

GE Appliances' Profile with SmartDispense Technology dishwasher, released in October, incorporates a technology that figures out the hardness of the water. Based on the water hardness and how much soil is present, the dishwasher calculates how much soap and water is needed to get dishes clean, Eddy says.

Good Looking, Too

Besides energy efficiency and quiet operation, appearance continues to be a primary concern.

As stainless steel finishes occupy an increasingly greater percentage of the market–25 percent in 2005 compared to 5 percent in 2000, according to Eddy–buyers are trying to distinguish their kitchens with other looks.

"The higher-end consumer viewed stainless steel as a differentiator between their kitchen and someone else's kitchen," Eddy says. Now, those people are asking, "What makes mine different than the average kitchen?"

In an attempt to capitalize on that trend, Jenn-Air released a floating glass finish–made of tempered glass sheets adhered to steel framework–in June. It's available in black or white.

Many manufacturers offer integrated dishwashers built so that a cabinet-front panel can be attached to the door, allowing the appliance to blend in with the surrounding cabinetry.

Meanwhile, a few manufacturers such as KitchenAid and Viking offer dishwashers in bright colors that coordinate with their line of standard mixers. Those might be popular in less traditional markets, but in more conservative Evanston, Ill., Karlson notes, "You could see a green mixer on the counter, but we're not going to have a green dishwasher."

As other finishes grow in popularity, the appeal of bisque appears to be waning, notes Mike Smith, vice president of purchasing for Horsham, Pa.-based production builder Toll Brothers. The company usually offers white as standard, with stainless steel the most popular and black the second most-requested upgrades, Smith says.

Bosch may discontinue its biscuit color in two years if the color's popularity continues to decrease, Kan says.

Complete and Compact

Five years ago, Fisher & Paykel began manufacturing a drawer dishwasher, and now offers both single- and double-drawer models. KitchenAid also offers two compact dishwashers: a double drawer and a model with the washing unit in one side of a double-bowl sink that can be removed to provide full access to both bowls.

There are no Energy Star ratings for compact dishwashers, but 2007 guidelines will set ratings for this category, say DOE representatives.

These petite but pricey products are marketed toward upscale buyers. "Buyers in that market like to impress as well as they like functionality," says Smith. "A lot of it is they want the latest, neatest gadgets no one else has."

Those drawn to the drawer dishwashers tend to entertain frequently, says Parlatore, adding, "Not only can you do smaller loads, but you can separate your fine china and your stemware from your pots and pans if you want to."

Bryce Wells, North American marketing manager for Fisher & Paykel, says homeowners living in a small, urban space also might be drawn to the product.

Remodeler Alan Hilsabeck Jr. of Dallas-based Premier Kitchens & Baths says drawer dishwashers are gaining ground in his area. In a region where lots of homes average 3,500 to 4,000 square feet, Hilsabeck said homeowners are pairing drawer dishwashers with warming drawers and wine storage in butler's pantries.

Although Toll Brothers is offering drawer models in its design centers, the products are slow to sell, Smith says. "They're priced pretty high," he explains.

Fast Forward

When asked what the future holds for dishwashers, manufacturers agree they will be even more technologically advanced. Overall, dishwashers will have greater capacities, increased racking flexibility, and more detailed soil sensors, predicts Steve Duthie, a spokesman for Whirlpool. The ability to vary water pressure and temperature may also be available, Kan adds.

Some dishwashers may have remote controls or be operable via computer from remote locations, predicts Harris. Furthermore, dishes and pots may have bar codes and the machines would read specific details about each load's contents and formulate the wash accordingly, Kan says.

But, Kan surmises that the real advances–and challenges–will come simply from balancing performance with energy and water efficiency. "If you want a shorter cycle, then you have to use more energy. How do you hit the bull's eye in terms of getting everything?" he asks. "It's an art."
BP

KitchenAid

KitchenAid. The P series dishwasher with Architect series door features a wash sensor that detects water hardness and senses the amount of soil in the dishwasher. The ProScrub option provides a concentrated wash to a specific zone in the back of the lower dish rack for large, hard-to-clean dishes. Fully and partially visible control panels are available.
800-422-1230. www.kitchenaid.com.

Bosch

Bosch. The Evolution 500 series dishwasher features controls on the appliance's front. Available in both four- and five-cycle models, the Evolution is operated by a two-pump motor system and includes a stainless steel tall tub. Other features include a covered silverware basket and an optional top-rack-only wash cycle.
800-921-9622. www.boschappliances.com.

Fisher & Paykel

Fisher & Paykel. The double DishDrawer fits into the space that would be occupied by a standard dishwasher. Shown in the stainless steel finish, the independent drawers use as little as 2 gallons of water each. Model DD603SS offers nine wash cycles.
888-936-7872. usa.fisherpaykel.com.

GE

GE Appliances. The Profile with SmartDispense Technology dishwasher stores 45 ounces of gel detergent and calculates and dispenses the necessary amount of soap for each wash load. GE designed the model in response to the growing market for gel detergents and worked with detergent manufacturers to research the product. Detergent amounts are based on water hardness as programmed by the user, the level of soil as detected by sensors in the tub, the water temperature, cycle selection, and the size of the load. The model also features tilt-able upper racks, allowing consumers to angle their dishes so that water does not gather on them during the wash. A single-rack wash selection cleans up to five place settings by using only the top and middle wash arms, conserving water, says the manufacturer.
800-626-2005. www.geappliances.com.

Maytag

Maytag. The JetClean III model MDB9600A features three racks, each with fold-away tines allowing the user to customize each rack's dimensions. This dishwasher with integrated control panel features four wash arms, six wash cycles, and a hard food dispenser for soil removal. An extra rinse option improves cleaning in hard-water situations.
800-688-9900. www.maytag.com.

Maytag

Asko. The D3531XLHD is a tall-tank dishwasher with integrated push-button controls and an LCD panel located on its inside rim. The panel can be used to select wash options, choose wash temperatures, and view the time remaining on a cycle. The product's half-load setting allows the user to wash either the top or bottom rack.
800-898-1879. www.askousa.com.

Amana

Amana. This built-in dishwasher model ADB3500AW features an in-door silverware basket to provide extra rack space for dishes. Its stainless steel tub is rust-resistant and its Tri Wash system with High Temp Option makes it easier to remove grease from pots and pans, the manufacturer claims. The machine is Energy Star compliant.
800-843-0304. www.amana.com.

Thermador

Thermador. This nine-program stainless steel dishwasher, shown with professional handles, also is available with curved handles and a custom panel. It features a stainless steel interior, AVS noise-reduction system, soil sensors, and an advanced filter system. The model is Energy Star compliant.
800-656-9226. www.thermador.com.

Jenn-Air

Jenn-Air. Intended as an alternative to stainless steel, the floating glass finish in black or white is made of tempered glass sheets adhered to an appliance's steel framework. Available in the company's two-rack dishwasher line, the model features an integrated control panel, a tall-tub design, and an adjustable upper rack.
800-688-1100. www.jennair.com.

Whirlpool

Whirlpool. The Gold dishwasher incorporates formed doors, consistent handle design, an integrated control panel, and a creased metal detail. The suite, which includes ovens and refrigerators, is available in white, black, and stainless steel. The model is Energy Star compliant and features nylon racks with fold-down tines, light-item clips, and cup shelves.
800-253-3977. www.insideadvantage.com.