Dishwasher Cost Per Load Calculator
Enter your dishwasher's watts, how long a cycle takes and how many cycles you run a month, and get the cost per load, month and year in your state.
Dishwasher cost
A12Scenario A
Sets the electricity rate. Pick US average if you're not sure.
From EIA for US average. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.
Rate used: 18.4¢/kWh · US average · EIA reference 2025–26 (data as of 2026-09-26) ·
Average over the cycle, including the internal water heater.
30 = one load a day.
Estimated cost per month
Estimate. Formula and sources are under “How it works”. Change any input; the result updates as you type.
Formula
How it works
- kWh per load = watts ÷ 1,000 × cycle hours
- Cost per load = kWh per load × rate
- Cost per month = kWh per load × loads per month × rate
A normal cycle uses about 1.2–1.5 kWh, most of it to heat the water inside the machine; an eco cycle about 0.8 kWh. An ENERGY STAR model is rated at no more than 270 kWh a year over 215 cycles, about 1.26 kWh a cycle.
Sources: ENERGY STAR dishwasher criteria (≤ 270 kWh/year, 215 cycles). Electricity rate: EIA Electric Power Monthly table 5.6.A.
Worked example
A worked example
A 1-hour cycle at 1,200 W uses 1.20 kWh. At the Texas rate of 15.5¢/kWh that's $0.19 a load. One load a day for a 31-day month comes to $5.77, and $67.89 a year.
Reference
Reference table
Dishwasher cost per month at 18.4¢/kWh (US average)
| 10 loads | 20 loads | 30 loads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco cycle · 0.8 kWh | $1.47 | $2.94 | $4.42 |
| Normal · 1.2 kWh | $2.21 | $4.42 | $6.62 |
| Heavy · 1.5 kWh | $2.76 | $5.52 | $8.28 |
Questions
FAQ
Is a dishwasher cheaper than washing by hand?
It depends on how much hot water you use at the sink. With an electric water heater, each gallon of hot water (70 °F rise, UEF 0.92) takes about 0.19 kWh, about 3.4¢ at the US average rate. A 1.2 kWh cycle costs about 22¢, so the dishwasher is cheaper whenever hand washing a full load would take more than about 6 gallons of hot water.
How much does eco mode save?
An eco cycle uses about 0.8 kWh versus 1.2 for a normal cycle, a third less. At the US average rate of 18.4¢/kWh that's about 7¢ a load, or roughly $2.21 a month at one load a day.
How much does the heated dry setting cost?
Heated dry is part of the cycle's total kWh, and the share varies by model. Turning it off or using air dry lowers the kWh per load. A plug-in power meter shows your model's difference.
How much does a dishwasher cost per month?
At the US average rate, one 1.2 kWh load a day costs an estimated $6.62 a month. In California at 32.0¢/kWh, the same 1.2 kWh per load comes to $11.52.
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