How Many kWh Does a Dishwasher Use?
Dishwasher energy cost calculator — see your exact daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost.
US national average. Edit for your local rate.
Daily Energy Use
1.80
kWh / day
Monthly Cost
$10.17
Yearly Cost
$123.71
Dishwasher — Cost Breakdown
| Period | kWh Used | Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | 1.8000 | $0.3389 |
| Per Day | 1.80 | $0.34 |
| Per Month (30 days) | 54.00 | $10.17 |
| Per Year (365 days) | 657.00 | $123.71 |
Running a dishwasher cycle uses about the same energy as running a hair dryer on high for over an hour.
3 Ways to Cut Your Dishwasher Energy Bill
- 🌱
Use the air-dry setting instead of heated dry — the heating element for drying accounts for 15–50% of the cycle's energy.
- 💡
Only run full loads — a half-full dishwasher uses the same amount of water and energy as a full one.
- ⚡
Use the eco or light wash cycle for everyday dishes — normal and heavy cycles heat water to higher temperatures.
The pump motor draws a brief surge at the start of each spray cycle, but the main energy draw is the stable resistance water heater.