How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher: Daily, Monthly, & Yearly Expenses

The average daily cost to run a dishwasher is $0.18 - $0.73 per cycle, depending on the dishwasher's wattage, efficiency, local electricity rates, size, and model. If you run 4 to 5 cycles weekly, the cost is around $3 - $14 per month or $36 - $168 per year. Calculating how much it costs to run a dishwasher depends on different factors, including water usage, detergent, and local electricity rates. 

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of running dishwashers is by using an essential home backup solution like Jackery Solar Generators. Solar-powered generators can power various household appliances, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, lights, etc. This helps you reduce the monthly electricity bills and even keep appliances powered when there is an outage.

Key Takeaways

• Dishwashers generally use between 1200W and 2400W per cycle and are typically used 4-5 times a week.
• The cost to run a dishwasher depends on the local electricity rates, appliance efficiency, wattage, size, and model.
• You can expect to pay around $0.29 per cycle for a dishwasher, with the highest being $0.73 in Hawaii and the lowest being $0.18 in North Dakota.
• Jackery Solar Generators are reliable home battery backup solutions that can help you reduce your electricity bills by powering essential appliances with free sunlight.

How Many Watts a Dishwasher Consumes?

Dishwashers consume between 1200W and 2400W per cycle, with the average dishwasher using around 1800W per cycle. However, the exact answer to how many watts a dishwasher uses will depend on the cycle length, size, model, and features. If you want to calculate how many amps a dishwasher uses, you can multiply the wattage consumption by the volts at which the appliance operates.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher in the USA?

The total cost of running a dishwasher depends on the dishwasher's efficiency, local utility rates, and running time. Generally, a dishwasher consuming 1800W running for 1 hour consumes 1800Wh or 1.8kWh. If the electricity rate per kWh in your area is 15.95 cents per kWh, the cost of running a dishwasher will be $0.29. Running a dishwasher for one hour 5 days a week or 20 days a month will cost you around $5.74 per month and $68.90 per year.

Daily, Monthly, and Yearly Costs to Run a Dishwasher

If you've ever wondered how much does it cost to run a dishwasher, you're not alone. Many homeowners are looking to better understand their energy and water usage. An Energy Star dishwasher is more efficient than an older dishwasher, which means the former consumes less electricity and is more affordable to run. Here is a table calculating how much it costs to run a dishwasher cycle on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis: 

Note: The electricity rate per kWh is based on the EIA's data from January 2025.

Official Tips to Reduce Dishwasher Cost

According to Energy Star, a standard-sized Energy Star-certified dishwasher costs around $50 per year and saves about 5,800 gallons of water over its lifetime. When calculating how much it costs to run a dishwasher water-wise, it’s important to note that modern Energy Star models use significantly less water per load. While the cost of running a dishwasher will vary, here are some easy tips to cut costs: 

• Get an Energy Star Dishwasher: Energy Star dishwashers are highly energy-efficient and help you save a lot of money in the long run.
• Load Dishwasher Before Running: According to the Energy Star, dishwashers use the same amount of energy and water regardless of how full they are. So, you should run full loads to avoid wasting water and money.
• Run Dishwasher During Off-Peak Hours: Many utility companies offer Time of Use rates and charge less during off-peak hours. Running energy-intensive appliances during off-peak hours helps you cut down on costs.
• Maintain Your Dishwasher: You must clean the filters and check for clogs regularly to ensure dishwashers operate efficiently and do not cost a lot.
• Use Air Dry Setting: Rather than heat drying the dishes, air drying and opening the door after the wash cycle helps you let dishes dry naturally and save money.
• Invest in a Solar Generator: Jackery Solar Generators are essential home backup solutions that can power various household appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, lights, etc. Their portable design ensures easy movement from one place to another around the home.

How to Save Electricity Bill With Jackery Solar Generators

Solar generators work by converting the sun's energy into electricity and can power essential appliances to save on monthly electricity bills. Jackery is one of the leading brands that manufactures solar generators, foldable solar panels, and portable power stations. 

Solar generators combine solar panels to convert sunlight into DC electricity and portable power stations to convert DC to AC electricity for power appliances. The large battery capacities ensure most household appliances, such as dishwashers, remain powered. Here are some of the best battery backup solutions from Jackery:

Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station is an essential home backup solution that can power most appliances, like dishwashers. Its dual voltage functionality ensures dishwashers running at 120V or 240V can easily be powered. It features a pull rod and double wheels that make transportation easier. If you use a dishwasher (1800W) for one hour every day for a month with the power station, you can cut down the electricity bill by $8.61. 

Appliance Running Time

• Large Dishwasher (2500W) = 1.7H
• Standard Dishwasher (1800W) = 2.3H
• Countertop Dishwasher (1200W) = 3.4H
• Compact Dishwasher (1000W) = 4.1H

Customer Review

"I received the Explorer 5000 Plus solar generator to use to run my home if the power goes out. It works great and will run my whole home if the power goes out." — Dennis Carlson.

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a solar-powered generator that combines a portable power station and solar panels. The Jackery Smart Transfer Switch allows you to connect the solar generator to the home's electrical system to ensure seamless switching from grid electricity to backup power. The Jackery SolarSaga 500X Solar Panels can recharge the power station faster, ensuring appliances remain powered for long hours. Running a dishwasher (1800W) for one hour every day will help you save $8.61 per month and $104.79 per year. 

Appliance Running Time

• Large Dishwasher (2500W) = 1.7H
• Standard Dishwasher (1800W) = 2.3H
• Countertop Dishwasher (1200W) = 3.4H
• Compact Dishwasher (1000W) = 4.1H

Customer Review 

"This is awesome. I am able to power my entire house for up to 15 hours. Great for power outages." — Ivan.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher FAQs

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher cycle?

Dishwashers typically consume 1800W, which translates to 1.8kWh per cycle. The exact cost to run a dishwasher cycle depends on the electricity rate. For instance, running one cycle of dishwasher (1800W) can cost $0.73 in Hawaii and $0.18 in North Dakota.

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher once?

A dishwasher uses 1.8 kWh per load, and the cost per kWh varies by location. However, the average electricity rate in the USA is around 15.95 cents per kWh, which translates to a cost of roughly $0.29 per load.

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher load?

Running a standard dishwasher load costs between $0.18 and $0.73 per cycle. This can equate to around $3 to $14 per month if you run 4 to 5 loads per week. The actual cost depends on factors like your dishwasher's energy efficiency, the type of cycle used, and your local electricity rates.

Is it better to run the dishwasher or wash my dishes by hand?

Washing dishes in an Energy Star dishwasher rather than hand washing can cut utility bills by $220 per year. An energy-efficient dishwasher can save you over 230 hours of personal time over a year. A new Energy Star dishwasher uses less than half the energy compared to hand washing and saves 8,400 gallons of water per year.

Conclusion

Most dishwashers use an average of 1800W. An hour-long load costs approximately $0.29 per day. Running for more hours can significantly increase electricity bills. Now that you know how much it costs to run a dishwasher, the next step is to find ways to save on running the appliance on the grid electricity. Jackery Solar Generators can run most household appliances, including dishwashers. They are powerful enough to handle large appliances and save on monthly electricity bills.