Dishwasher Energy Usage

How Much Electricity Does a Dishwasher Use?

While dishwashers aren't an essential appliance, they save you from washing dishes by hand so you can focus on more important tasks. However, the time and effort that dishwashers save come at a cost. Dishwashers use electricity to wash and dry your dishes, which adds up with every load. Understanding your dishwasher's power consumption will help you determine its impact on your electric bill.

This guide will explain how much electricity dishwashers use and how to reduce your energy costs.

Do Dishwashers Use a Lot of Electricity?

Dishwashers use anywhere from 1200-2400 watts of electricity, with an average machine consuming 1800 watts. Most of the energy is used to pump water into the dishwasher and power the controls. While the dishwasher uses hot water, it produces very little heat itself. Most dishwashers connect to your home's hot water line, which is heated with energy from the water heater.

How much energy your dishwasher uses will vary depending on the machine you choose, how many loads you run and the cycle you use. A single dishwashing cycle can take 1 1/2 to 4 hours. Older models will use more electricity than the latest, energy-efficient dishwashers. On average, a standard-size Energy Star dishwasher is 12% more energy efficient compared to other machines.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher?

To calculate the cost of running your dishwasher, you need the following information:

• Your dishwasher wattage: You can find the wattage of your dishwasher in the user manual or the manufacturer's website.
• The length of one cycle: If the control panel doesn't display the cycle time, set a timer the next time you run your dishwasher.
• The cost of electricity: Check your energy bill for the price of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Then, you can follow this calculation with the numbers you found to determine the cost to run your dishwasher. This example uses a 1800-watt dishwasher with a 3 hour —180 minute — cycle time at the national average price of 10.54 cents per kWh:

1. Divide the number of watts by 60 to find the watts per minute — 1800 watts / 60 minutes = 30 watts per minute.
   
2. Multiply the watts per minute by the length of one cycle — 30 watts per minute x 180 minutes = 5,400 watts per cycle.
3. Convert watts into kilowatts by dividing by 1,000 — 5,400 watts per cycle / 1,000 = 5.4 kWh per cycle.
4. Multiply the price per kWh of electricity by the kWh per cycle — 5.4 kWh per cycle x 10.54 cents = approximately 57 cents per cycle.

Is Hand Washing Dishes Cheaper Than a Dishwasher?

Using a dishwasher saves you time and effort, and it can be more energy efficient than washing dishes by hand. The average faucet uses 1 1/2 to 2.2 gallons of water per minute. If you spend 30 minutes washing a sink full of dishes, you're using 45-66 gallons of water.

The water heater uses energy to make the water that flows from your faucet hot. While a dishwasher also relies on the water heater for hot water, modern dishwashers use 3 gallons or less for an entire load of dishes. Washing dishes by hand uses more water and heat energy than a typical dishwasher cycle. Overall, using a dishwasher is better than hand washing.

How to Save Money When Running Your Dishwasher

With a few simple techniques, you can decrease your dishwasher's energy usage. Reducing the cost per cycle by a few cents can lead to significant savings over time. Try these easy strategies to optimize your dishwasher:

• Make sure it's full: Your dishwasher will use the same amount of energy no matter how many dishes you put inside. Clean more dishes in fewer cycles by making sure your dishwasher is full before using it.
• Keep it clean: Food and grime can collect in the bottom of your dishwasher and get sprayed back onto the next load of dishes. Ensure your dishes come out clean the first time by keeping your dishwasher clean.
• Let the dishes air-dry: Instead of using heated drying, open the door and let the dishes air-dry. If you want to speed up the process, you can dry the dishes by hand with a cloth.
• Use the energy-saving cycle: Many dishwashers have an energy-saving mode that uses less water and electricity than other cycles. While this cycle may be less intense, it's a good option if your dishes are only slightly dirty.
• Wait for off-peak hours: In some areas, energy providers charge more for electricity during peak hours. Try running your dishwasher outside of this range to avoid spending more money per load. Some dishwashers have an automatic timer that you can set for off-peak hours.

Best Energy-Efficient Dishwashers of 2021

Conserving energy and lowering your electric bill starts with energy-efficient appliances. If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, look for models with low annual electricity and water use and the Energy Star certification. Here are some of the most energy-efficient dishwashers on the market:

1. Miele G 6880 SCVi

The Miele G 6880 SCVi combines energy efficiency with all the bells and whistles of a modern dishwasher. This model offers 11 wash programs, five program options, a 3D+ cutlery tray, EcoTech heat storage and many other features. It provides superior performance while consuming only 3.2 gallons of water per cycle and 199 kWh of electricity per year. It uses 35% less energy than the U.S. Federal Standard requires. The fully integrated design sits flush with your countertops so you can achieve beauty and function in one all-inclusive machine.

2. Beko DUT25401

If you're looking for a budget-friendly dishwasher, the Beko DUT25401 includes everything you need for a fraction of the price. This simple dishwasher uses only 234 kWh of energy per year to help you save even more on your energy bill. Using only 2.66 gallons of water, it relies on 47% less water per cycle than the U.S. Federal Standard requires.

3. Blomberg DWT 52800

The Blomberg DWT 52800 tackles water and energy conservation in one, using only 225 kWh of energy per year and 2.36 gallons of water per cycle. This model combines high-tech features and premium function with eight unique cycles, active ventilation drying and a full-size third rack. It outshines the U.S. Federal Standard for electricity per year by 27% and gallons per cycle by 53%.

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