Appliance Cost Lab

Dishwasher guide

How much electricity does a dishwasher cycle cost?

Use measured or model-specific kWh for one complete cycle, multiply by cycles per week and 365 ÷ 7, then add separately entered standby electricity.

Preferred basis: measured kWh per complete cycle. Cycle selection, internal water heating, drying options, inlet-water conditions and load sensing can change electricity use.

Three reproducible cycle scenarios

Three published dishwasher electricity-cost scenarios
Scenario Inputs Active per cycle Annual energy Annual cost
0.7 kWh for three cycles per week 0.7 kWh/cycle; 3 cycles/week; 1 W standby for 24 h/day; $0.18/kWh 0.700 kWh/use · $0.13/use 118.260 kWh $21.29
1.0 kWh for four cycles per week 1.0 kWh/cycle; 4 cycles/week; 1 W standby for 24 h/day; $0.18/kWh 1.000 kWh/use · $0.18/use 217.331 kWh $39.12
1.3 kWh for seven cycles per week 1.3 kWh/cycle; 7 cycles/week; 1 W standby for 24 h/day; $0.18/kWh 1.300 kWh/use · $0.23/use 483.260 kWh $86.99

$0.18/kWh is an illustrative comparison rate, not a national or current market price. Cost per cycle covers active electricity only; annual standby is not divided across cycles.

Measurement and scope

Measure one representative complete cycle, including washing and drying. A partial observation can miss heating or drying. If using annual label energy, do not call it a measured cycle value unless you divide it using the label’s documented cycle assumption.

This calculator covers electricity only. It does not add water, detergent, external water-heater fuel or gas costs. ENERGY STAR explains that dishwasher electricity can include machine operation, water heating and drying, and that cycle options and soil sensing matter.

Safety and standby

Smart-plug control is blocked. Scheduled disconnection is not treated as eligible without explicit user confirmation. Delayed starts, controls, leak-protection functions and manufacturer requirements can make disconnection unsuitable.

Standby must be entered separately unless the complete measurement period explicitly included it. A nonzero control load does not prove that disconnection is safe.

Sources: ENERGY STAR Dishwashers and Dishwasher Key Product Criteria support the cycle/label discussion; they do not validate these illustrative inputs.

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Related: washing-machine guide · electric-dryer guide · methodology · accuracy · sources · standby power

Last reviewed: August 14, 2026