How much does a dishwasher cost to run?

Dishwashers consume 1,800–2,400 watts during active wash and dry cycles, typically running 1.5–3 hours per load. The bulk of energy goes to water heating, so tank temperature and load frequency matter as much as the machine itself.

Typical running cost (18.83¢/kWh, U.S. average, 2026-04)

BasisCost
Per hour (while running, 1200 W typical)$0.23
Per day (1 h/day, 5/7 days)$0.16
Per month$4.91
Per year$58.95
Hourly range (small 900 W – large 1500 W)$0.17 – $0.28
Save: Run only full loads and skip the heated dry cycle, letting dishes air-dry instead.

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