How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher

As energy prices fluctuate, many UK homeowners are opting for energy-efficient appliances. The dishwasher was once considered a luxury, but it has now become a necessity in UK households. As many people now consider the cost of living a major factor when buying home appliances, the cost of running a dishwasher has become increasingly significant.

Key Takeaways

• A typical dishwasher uses 0.8-1.5kWh per cycle, costing approximately 21p-37p according to current Ofgem rate (24.5/kWh, Q3 2025)
• Annual running cost is approximately £248 based on one cycle per day
• Modern dishwashers use about 9-15 litres of water per cycle
• Eco mode usage reduces energy consumption by 30%

The True Cost of Running a Dishwasher

The following is a breakdown of a dishwasher’s running costs in the UK today. Additionally, we will also guide you on how to trim those bills.

As of now, a single dishwasher cycle in the UK costs between 21 pence and 37 pence. Although it might seem minimal, the annual impact can impact to approximately £248 once factors like cleaning supplies, water, and electricity are included. Let’s understand these factors and how they increase the cost of running a dishwasher.

It is important to note that a dishwasher that does not drain can waste water and drive up your bills.

How Much Electricity Does a Dishwasher Use Per Hour in the UK

Electricity accounts for the largest share of the cost of running a dishwasher, at approximately 80%. If you’re curious as to how much a dishwasher costs to run per cycle, a normal cycle consumes between 1.0kWh and 1.3kWh. The following is a breakdown of electricity consumption according to different cycle types:

Costs calculated at 24.5/kWh from Ofgem

Water Usage

Modern dishwashers are efficient at using water. To give you a fair idea, these modern dishwashers use 9-15 litres of water per cycle. In the UK, this amounts to roughly 3 pence to 4 pence of the total cost of running a dishwasher. This is a surprisingly small amount of water compared to what most people use when washing dishes by hand.

A dishwasher that uses the wrong amount of water can increase your bills. If you notice your dishwasher not filling with water properly, it might run longer cycles or require a rewash.

Cleaning Supplies

The cost of cleaning supplies is rather more variable. For premium cleaning supplies, you’ll pay up to 30 pence per wash. However, switching to supermarket-branded cleaning supplies can drop this to 5 pence per wash.

If you’re worried about your dishwasher not cleaning properly, check out our blog on this topic to get this problem resolved.

What’s the Total Cost Per Cycle?

Adding every cost together gives you the total cost:

Electricity (29p) + Water (3p) + Detergent (21p) + Salt (15p) = £0.68 per cycle

For a household that runs one cycle per day, that’s £248 annually.

How to Calculate Your Own Dishwasher’s Running Cost

To calculate the exact cost of your own dishwasher, use this formula:

• Find your dishwasher’s kWh per cycle
• Find your electricity rate on your energy bill
• Multiply: kWh x rate = cost per cycle
• Multiply by 365 to get an annual dishwasher running cost

Dishwasher Running Costs According to Energy Rating

Every dishwasher’s running cost is different. Here’s how annual costs differ by energy label rating:

Upgrading from an F-rated machine to an A-rated machine can help you save over £50 per year.

Do Dishwashers Use a Lot of Electricity

State-of-the-art dishwashers are a lot more efficient than their predecessors. Today, a dishwasher costs between 0.8kWh and 1.5kWh of electricity per hour. This energy is used to heat the water. Once the required temperature is reached, the machine’s pumps and electronics only use a small fraction of the total power.

Tips to Reduce Dishwasher Running Costs

A good way to reduce the cost of running a dishwasher is to use its eco mode if it has one. It is important to note that the eco mode will generally take longer cycles to wash your dishes; these modes are designed to save you money. As the water is heated more slowly and to a lower temperature, the “Eco Mode” uses 30% less electricity than your regular dishwasher modes.

The following are some additional ways to lower your bills while running a dishwasher:

• As the cost of running electricity and water will be the same regardless of how many plates are inside, it is suggested to never run the machine half-empty; rather, run your dishwasher at full load.
• Stop rinsing your dishes under hot water before putting them in the dishwasher. It’s like paying for the same job twice.
• For people on an “Economy 7” time of use tariff, running your dishwasher overnight can cut your electricity costs by half.

“Economy 7” is a type of “Time of Use” electricity tariff in the UK that offers a cheaper rate for electricity used during a specific 7-hour period, usually midnight to 7 a.m.

Is a Dishwasher More Cost-Effective than Hand-Washing?

A feature-packed, state-of-the-art dishwasher is often a more economical and effective way to wash your dishes. For instance, to match a dishwasher’s efficiency, you will have to wash a dozen plates with only one or two bowls of water. It is important to note that many of us tend to fail at this feat even with a running tap.

Conclusion

Even though the upfront cost of running a dishwasher is high, you can easily manage its daily running costs if you use the dishwasher smartly. This means maximising the use of Eco modes and selecting detergents that provide the best value for your money.

The comfort of the dishwasher is something that remains an affordable luxury in the modern UK kitchen. However, even the most efficient dishwasher can break down when we least expect it. This is where dishwasher insurance makes sure that this affordable luxury appliance doesn’t turn into a costly headache.

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