Calculators · Cost to run
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
A dishwasher uses about 1.5–2 kWh per load, and most of that isn't the motor — it's heating the water and the heated-dry cycle. So it's best measured per load, and the easiest savings come from how you run it, not how often.
Most of the draw is heating water and the dry cycle.
per hour
22¢
per day
$0.22
per month
$6.83
per year
$81.87
Running a 1800W dishwasher 1 hours a day costs about $0.22/day or $6.83/month at 12.46¢/kWh.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere. Estimates only; your actual bill depends on your usage and includes delivery charges on top of the supply rate.
What it costs per load, at real rates
Based on one normal cycle with heated dry (~1.8 kWh), priced at three of the utilities we track:
| Utility | Rate | Cost per load |
|---|---|---|
| PECO (PA) | 10.789¢/kWh | 19¢ |
| BGE (MD) | 14.609¢/kWh | 26¢ |
| ComEd (IL) | 10.399¢/kWh | 19¢ |
Supply rate only; delivery charges are extra. Use the calculator above for your own utility and usage.
Where a dishwasher's energy goes
| Setting | Energy per load | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Normal + heated dry | ~1.8 kWh | Heated dry adds noticeable energy |
| Normal + air dry | ~1.3 kWh | Skip heated dry — open the door instead |
| Eco / energy-saver mode | ~1.0 kWh | Lower water temp, longer cycle |
Most of the energy heats water; modern ENERGY STAR units use less per load than older models.
How to cut the cost
- 1
Skip the heated dry
Turn off heated dry and let dishes air-dry, or crack the door open at the end. It's the easiest per-load saving and costs you nothing.
- 2
Run full loads only
A half-empty dishwasher uses nearly the same energy and water as a full one. Wait until it's full.
- 3
Use eco mode
Energy-saver cycles use cooler water over a longer run, which trims the biggest cost — water heating.
- 4
Skip the pre-rinse
Scrape, don't rinse. Modern dishwashers handle food residue, and pre-rinsing wastes hot water before the machine even starts.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to run a dishwasher per load?
- About 1.5–2 kWh per load — roughly 20–30¢ at typical rates, before counting the water itself. Skipping heated dry and using eco mode lowers it.
- Is it cheaper to run the dishwasher or wash by hand?
- A full modern dishwasher usually uses less hot water than washing the same dishes by hand under a running tap — so it's often cheaper and uses less energy, as long as you run full loads.
- Does the heated dry setting use a lot of electricity?
- Enough to matter — heated dry can add roughly a third to a load's energy. Turning it off and air-drying is the simplest way to cut a dishwasher's running cost.
- How much does a dishwasher cost per month?
- At about 1.8 kWh per load and a load a day, roughly 55 kWh a month — about $7–$9 at typical rates, before water heating. Eco mode and air-dry trim it.
If your bill jumped more than your usage explains, your rate may have risen too.