Dishwasher Energy Consumption - How Much Does It Cost to Run?

What Does It Actually Cost to Run a Dishwasher?

Running a dishwasher costs less than most people expect — and significantly less than hand washing dishes with hot running water. Understanding the actual energy and water costs helps you make informed decisions about when to run the dishwasher, which cycle to use, and whether upgrading to a more efficient model makes financial sense.

Dishwasher Energy Consumption: The Numbers

Electricity Per Cycle

A modern ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher uses approximately 1.0 to 1.5 kWh of electricity per cycle. This includes the energy to heat the water, run the pump and motor, and operate the heated dry cycle.

At the US average electricity rate of approximately $0.16 per kWh, one dishwasher cycle costs:

• ENERGY STAR model: $0.16–$0.24 per cycle
• Older model (pre-2013): $0.24–$0.48 per cycle (uses 1.5–3.0 kWh)

Annual Electricity Cost

For a household running one cycle per day:

• ENERGY STAR dishwasher: $58–$88 per year in electricity
• Older dishwasher: $88–$175 per year in electricity

Water Heating: The Largest Energy Cost

The majority of a dishwasher's energy consumption goes to heating water — typically 80–85% of total energy use. The remaining 15–20% powers the pump, motor, and controls. This is why skipping the heated dry cycle (which adds 15–50% to energy use) and using the eco cycle (lower temperature) are the most effective ways to reduce dishwasher energy costs.

Water Cost Per Cycle

A modern ENERGY STAR dishwasher uses 3–4 gallons per cycle. At the US average water rate of approximately $0.005 per gallon:

• Water cost per cycle: $0.015–$0.02
• Annual water cost (daily use): $5–$7

Water cost is a negligible factor in dishwasher operating costs. Electricity for water heating is the dominant expense.

Total Annual Operating Cost

How to Reduce Dishwasher Energy Costs

1. Skip the Heated Dry Cycle

The heated dry cycle is the single biggest energy draw after water heating. Turning it off and opening the door to air dry reduces energy use by 15–50% per cycle — saving $10–40 per year for daily use. Most modern dishwashers have a setting to disable heated dry; some open the door automatically at the end of the cycle (Bosch AutoAir).

2. Use the Eco Cycle

The eco cycle uses lower water temperatures and longer cycle times to achieve the same cleaning result with less energy. It typically uses 20–30% less energy than the normal cycle. Use it for lightly soiled loads.

3. Run Full Loads Only

A dishwasher uses roughly the same energy whether it's full or half-full. Running full loads maximizes the cleaning per kWh — effectively halving the per-dish energy cost compared to running half-loads.

4. Run During Off-Peak Hours

If your utility offers time-of-use pricing (lower rates during off-peak hours, typically nights and weekends), running the dishwasher during these periods reduces electricity costs. Use the delay start feature to schedule cycles for off-peak hours.

5. Keep the Filter Clean

A clogged filter forces the pump to work harder, increasing energy consumption. Monthly filter cleaning maintains peak efficiency.

Measure Your Dishwasher's Actual Energy Use

Manufacturer energy ratings are based on standardized test conditions that may not reflect your actual usage patterns. To measure your dishwasher's real energy consumption, the Govee Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (4-Pack) plugs in between the dishwasher and the wall outlet and tracks real-time and historical electricity usage through the app. You can see exactly how much each cycle costs, compare different cycle types, and detect any increase in consumption that might indicate a developing problem.

The Amazon Basics Smart Plug (4-Pack) is a simpler Alexa-compatible option for scheduling the dishwasher to run during off-peak hours without energy monitoring.

Is It Worth Upgrading to a More Efficient Dishwasher?

If your dishwasher is more than 10 years old, upgrading to a current ENERGY STAR model can save $30–$100 per year in energy and water costs. Over a 10-year lifespan, that's $300–1,000 in savings — which offsets a meaningful portion of the replacement cost, particularly if you're replacing an older, inefficient model.

Final Thoughts

Running a modern ENERGY STAR dishwasher costs $63–$95 per year in electricity and water — less than $8 per month. The most impactful ways to reduce this cost are skipping the heated dry cycle, using the eco cycle for light loads, and running full loads only. For households with older dishwashers, upgrading to a current ENERGY STAR model delivers meaningful long-term savings that partially offset the replacement cost.