How much does a dishwasher cost to run?

What changes the cost of a dishwasher?

The quick answer is power multiplied by time and your electricity rate—but the right input depends on the appliance. Wattwise starts this calculator with a representative estimate, not a manufacturer-specific claim. Replace defaults with measured, label, or bill values wherever possible.

• Rated input power or energy-label value
• Daily runtime or cycles
• Standby power
• Local climate and seasonal use
• Billing-currency electricity rate

Example dishwasher running costs

These examples use the selected market’s clearly labeled planning estimate and the typical schedule shown in the calculator. Electricity tariffs vary by provider, tier, time, tax, and subsidy, so replace the rate with the value on your bill.

Ways to reduce this appliance’s electricity cost

Savings depend on comfort, safety, usage, and the equipment you already own. Model a change before buying a replacement, and verify high-cost appliances with a meter or label value.

1. Use the appliance energy label or a plug-in meter when available.
2. Compare energy per task, not rated watts alone.
3. Model standby and seasonal use separately.

How Wattwise calculated this estimate

For the default inputs, Wattwise estimates $8.47 per month and 42.4 kWh at the global reference rate. The active formula is: kWh per cycle × cycles per week × active weeks.

The displayed range widens when power, duty cycle, weather, or tariff data are estimates. It narrows when you provide measured energy, an official annual kWh value, or a per-cycle energy label. Fixed charges are not allocated to one appliance unless you explicitly create a household bill allocation.