How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?

The answer starts from the official energy figure on the energy label. This page uses the median of every dishwasher registered for sale in the UK in our dataset, then scales it to your usage and your electricity price. Change the assumptions to match your home.

Short answer. The median dishwasher registered for sale in the UK has 67 kWh per 100 cycles on its label. At 5 cycles a week and 26.32p/kWh, that is about £56 a year including water. Half of the models on the market fall between £50 and £62 at the same usage.

Where to find the numbers

kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle are on the energy label and the product information sheet. Your electricity price is the unit rate on your bill (p/kWh).

What the figure is based on

The label figure is kWh per 100 cycles on the eco programme at a weighted mix of full and partial loads. Other programmes, higher temperatures and half loads use more per cycle. Water is metered water plus sewerage.

What changes the cost

• Programme choice: the label uses the eco programme; auto, intensive and quick programmes at higher temperatures use noticeably more per cycle.
• Load size: half loads cost almost as much as full ones, so cycles a week is the lever.
• Hot or cold fill: heating water is most of the energy; a hot-fill connection shifts that cost to your water heater.
• Drying: heated drying uses more than fan or open-door drying; some models let you switch it off.
• Water price: metered water and sewerage add a second, smaller running cost.

Compare dishwashers by energy use and running cost to see every model behind this figure, or find the cheapest dishwasher to run for your size.

For a specific model or any other appliance, use the electricity cost calculator.