Can someone explain to me why economy settings on appliances like dishwashers and washing machines are so long time-wise? My washing machine in Switzerland has an economy setting that’s four and a half hours long and my new dishwasher in the UK is exactly the same time. I can just about see how that long might cut down on water consumption, but on electricity? How can running an appliance longer result in less electricity usage? 
Mainly to do with water heating. Probably cooler and longer to heat up and swished round longer to get the same effect as a short, sharp hot cycle.
Does you machine display the water and kWh used? You could compare cycles…
For washing machines, it can let it soak for a long time without spinning. This lets the cleaning detergent do its thing for longer.
IIRC, 4.5h isn’t even the „record“. Reportedly, there‘s five hours economy programs.
Might be good to just stretch it over 10 hours, so you can start it in the morning before you leave for work and have it ready in the evening when you return…
Doesn’t display, but I think it’s shown in the manuals.
Or just use the delayed start function to get it to come on at the right time… or a dishwasher that pops the door open when it’s finished to let the dishes dry properly.
My parents managed to buy a washing machine a couple of years back that doesn’t have a delayed start function.