How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
A dishwasher costs about 13¢ a day, $3.82 a month and $46 a year at typical use (4 cycles a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A typical dishwasher uses about 1-1.5 kWh per normal cycle including water heating by the internal heater and heated dry; ENERGY STAR models average about 0.75-1 kWh. This excludes energy from your water heater.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eco / air dry | 1,200 | 8.4¢ | $2.57 | $31 |
| Normal with heated dry | 1,800 | 13¢ | $3.82 | $46 |
| Heavy / sanitize | 2,200 | 15¢ | $4.66 | $56 |
At 4 cycles a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a dishwasher in every state
The same dishwasher costs $31 a year in North Dakota and $111 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $2.62 | $31 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $2.69 | $32 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $2.73 | $33 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $2.76 | $33 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $2.83 | $34 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $2.84 | $34 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $2.85 | $34 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $2.88 | $35 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $2.91 | $35 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $2.94 | $35 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $2.96 | $35 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $2.96 | $36 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $2.98 | $36 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $3.00 | $36 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $3.00 | $36 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $3.02 | $36 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $3.14 | $38 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $3.14 | $38 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $3.20 | $38 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $3.21 | $39 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $3.25 | $39 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $3.27 | $39 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $3.27 | $39 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $3.29 | $40 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $3.32 | $40 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $3.39 | $41 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $3.44 | $41 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $3.49 | $42 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $3.50 | $42 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $3.52 | $42 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $3.60 | $43 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $3.78 | $45 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $3.88 | $47 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $3.98 | $48 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $3.99 | $48 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $4.40 | $53 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $4.47 | $54 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $4.47 | $54 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $5.05 | $61 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $5.05 | $61 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $5.14 | $62 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $5.66 | $68 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $5.70 | $68 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $5.94 | $71 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $6.03 | $72 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $6.22 | $75 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $6.22 | $75 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $6.46 | $78 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $7.01 | $84 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $9.24 | $111 |
Most efficient dishwasher models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (11.9–16.1 ), out of 696 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $36 a year to run. The least efficient costs $43. Same size, $7 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Place settings | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher & Paykel | DD24DTX6I1 +1 variant Most Efficient | 14 | 202 | $36 | Amazon |
| Asko | DBI563****** +1 variant Most Efficient | 14 | 205 | $37 | Amazon |
| Fisher & Paykel | DW24UCT2X4 +3 variants Most Efficient | 16 | 210 | $38 | Amazon |
| Fisher&Paykel | DW24UNT4X2 +1 variant Most Efficient | 15 | 210 | $38 | Amazon |
| Miele | G 7186 SCVi +17 variants Most Efficient | 16 | 210 | $38 | Amazon |
| Bosch | DWHD661EFP Most Efficient | 16 | 213 | $38 | Amazon |
| Bosch | SHV41DB3N Most Efficient | 12 | 213 | $38 | Amazon |
| Bosch | SHX78DC** Most Efficient | 16 | 215 | $39 | Amazon |
| Smeg | DW8630 Most Efficient | 16 | 219 | $39 | Amazon |
| Asko | DBI364* +6 variants Most Efficient | 16 | 220 | $40 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Turn off heated dry and use air dry or open the door after the final rinse; it saves about 15-30% per cycle.
- Run only full loads; one full load uses far less than two half loads.
- Use Eco or Normal instead of Heavy, Sanitize or High Temp options unless needed.
- Skip pre-rinsing under hot tap water; scrape plates instead.
- Clean the filter monthly so the wash pump doesn't need longer cycles.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Certified dishwashers use about 270 kWh a year or less and under 3.5 gallons per cycle.
See options on AmazonHelps dishes dry without heated dry, so you can switch it off.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 1,800 | 4 cycles a week | $3.82 | $46 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 | 4,500 kWh a year | $67.46 | $810 |
| Garbage disposal | 500 | 2 minutes a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Electric oven | 3,000 | 3 hour of bakings a week | $3.75 | $45 |
| Induction cooktop | 1,800 | 1 hour a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Electric pizza oven | 1,750 | 45 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.72 | $9 |
| Deep fryer | 1,700 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.40 | $5 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher per hour?
A dishwasher is usually measured per cycle rather than per hour. Each cycle uses about 1.2 kWh, or 22¢ at 17.99¢/kWh.
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher per month?
At typical use (4 cycles a week), a dishwasher costs about $3.82 a month and $46 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a dishwasher use?
Most dishwashers use 1,200 to 2,400 watts, depending on the setting (eco / air dry 1,200 W, normal with heated dry 1,800 W, heavy / sanitize 2,200 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a dishwasher use?
About 0.70 kWh a day and 255 kWh a year at typical use (4 cycles a week).
Does a dishwasher use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 255 kWh a year it's a small share (2.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a dishwasher or an electric water heater?
At typical use, a dishwasher costs about $46 a year versus $810 for an electric water heater. So the dishwasher is cheaper by about $764 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a dishwasher?
- Turn off heated dry and use air dry or open the door after the final rinse; it saves about 15-30% per cycle.
- Run only full loads; one full load uses far less than two half loads.
- Use Eco or Normal instead of Heavy, Sanitize or High Temp options unless needed.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.