DECISION GUIDE
Dishwasher Electricity Cost Calculator
Dishwashers use electricity for water heating, pumps, controls and sometimes heated drying.
Direct answer: The editable 1,200 W, 1.5-hour cycle at 55% active duty uses 0.99 kWh and costs about $0.18 per cycle. At five cycles per week, that is about $3.90 per month or $46.80 per year for appliance electricity.
Editable estimate
Calculate and compare
Results update as you type.
kW × effective runtime × rate. Effective runtime = hours/day × duty cycle.
Baseline vs scenario
Compare two annual energy-use estimates.
Old vs new appliance payback
Use annual kWh for both models. Leave rebate at $0 unless you have a confirmed amount.
Simple payback = net upfront cost ÷ annual electricity-cost savings. Excludes financing, maintenance, rate changes and time value of money.
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Ways to lower this cost
See all savings tips →COST PER CYCLE
Model the wash cycle, not continuous daily runtime
Dishwashers use electricity for pumps, controls, water heating, and sometimes heated drying. The illustrative preset is 0.99 kWh per cycle; use an exact EnergyGuide annual-kWh value or measured cycle energy when available.
Five cycles per week example
At $0.18 per cycle, five weekly cycles cost about $3.90 per month and $46.80 per year. Change cycle duration, duty, frequency, and rate for your routine.
Eco modes can reduce temperature or runtime trade-offs, while heated dry can add heater use. External water-heating energy is not included unless it is reflected in the measured dishwasher electricity input.
Dishwasher electricity quick answers
How many kWh does one dishwasher cycle use?
The editable illustrative cycle uses 0.99 kWh. Exact use varies by cycle, water heating, drying option, and model.
How much does one dishwasher load cost?
Multiply measured kWh per cycle by your electricity rate. The current example is about $0.18 per load.
Does heated dry increase electricity use?
It can add heater runtime. Air-dry or eco options may use less appliance electricity when supported by the model.
Does this include household hot-water energy?
Only electricity represented by the entered or measured appliance use is included. Separate gas or electric water-heater energy may not be captured.
RATE COMPARISON
How your rate changes the cost
Same appliance inputs, using May 2026 EIA residential averages.
Make the estimate more accurate
- Use fractional daily hours to represent cycle frequency.
- Eco and air-dry settings reduce heater runtime.
- External water-heating fuel is not included unless reflected in measured watts.
Presets are estimates. Use your model label, an EnergyGuide annual-kWh figure or a safe meter reading when available. Compare old and new appliance payback.