The machine energy (Equation 19) includes the energy consumed by all the physical processes necessary to run a load of dishes (e.g. pumps, heating element for drying cycle).

ME = LE x Loads_week x 52            Equation 19

            where

            LE = load energy (kWh/load)

            Loads_week = dishwasher loads/week

            52 = weeks/year

Machine energy for dishwashers is assumed to be 0.78 kWh/load for the purposes of this model (US DOE 1990, Page 3-8 table 3.4).