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ElectricityCost Guide

Dishwasher Cost per Load

Updated July 2026 rate dataKitchen & LaundrySourced from ENERGY STAR — Dishwashers

Almost all of a dishwasher's energy goes into heating water, not spinning, so cycle choice and gallons per cycle matter far more than the machine's size. Set your loads per week and state below for the exact figure.

Quick pick

EIA residential average, July 2026. Your utility's exact rate is on your bill.

Rate applied
18.31¢ /kWh
U.S. average
1.2 kWh
0.5 kWh3.0 kWh
5/wk
1/wk21/wk
Common setups
Per load
$0.22
1.2 kWh
Per day
$0.16
0.86 kWh
Per month
$4.77
26 kWh
Per year
$57
313 kWh

Run like this for a year and it adds about $57 to your electricity bill.

Energy-per-load figures are electricity only, from EnergyGuide label ranges (0.8–2.5 kWh). Your home's water-heating fuel (gas vs. electric) is a separate bill item.

Energy: 0.86 kWh per day · 313 kWh per year, at 18.31¢/kWh (U.S. average).

An open dishwasher loaded with dishes in a modern kitchen

What changes the number

Water heating dominates

Most of a dishwasher's energy goes to heating water, not spinning. Energy Star machines use under 4 gallons per cycle; older units use 6–10, and every extra gallon is extra heat. That's why a 1990s machine can cost twice the electricity per load.

Cycle choice

Heavy/pots cycles heat water hotter and run longer (2.0+ kWh); eco/energy-saver cycles cut both. 'Heat dry' adds meaningful energy — open the door instead and let dishes air-dry.

Full loads only

The per-load cost is nearly fixed, so the strategy is fewer, fuller loads. Running a half rack costs exactly the same as a full one — the cheapest load is the one you don't run.

Cut the cost

Biggest savings first.

  1. Skip heat-dry: opening the door at cycle end saves the last big energy chunk.
  2. Run eco mode by default — it typically saves 15–30% per cycle for normally soiled dishes.
  3. Check the EnergyGuide label when replacing: the annual kWh range across new models is surprisingly wide.
  4. Scrape off food instead of rinsing with hot water before loading; use the dishwasher's normal cycle and detergent directions.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher once?

About 12¢ (Energy Star) to 45¢ (older unit) per load at the U.S. average rate of 18.31¢/kWh. Set your machine's EnergyGuide kWh figure above for the exact number.

Is it cheaper to hand wash or use a dishwasher?

A full dishwasher usually wins — especially an Energy Star model, which uses 3–4 gallons per cycle. Hand washing with hot running water can easily use 10–20 gallons and more energy. Dishwashing by hand only wins if you use cold water and very little of it.

How many kWh does a dishwasher use per cycle?

Modern Energy Star machines: 0.8–1.0 kWh. Typical newer units: 1.0–1.5 kWh. Machines from before ~2010: up to 2.5 kWh. The label on your machine's door frame lists the exact annual figure — divide by your loads per year.

Sources

Rate basis: EIA residential average, July 2026 (retrieved from Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A). Estimates are for planning, not billing.

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