Does Heated Dry on a Dishwasher Use More Electricity?

Usually, yes. A dishwasher's heated-dry setting uses extra energy compared with an available no-heat or air-dry option because drying is part of the appliance's energy demand. ENERGY STAR recommends choosing a dishwasher that can turn off heated dry and using the air-dry option when available. The exact added cost is model- and program-specific, not one universal number.

Key takeaways

• ENERGY STAR says dishwashers use energy to operate the machine, heat water, and dry dishes.
• The July 2026 certified dishwasher median is 239 kWh/year, about $45/year at 18.83¢/kWh, using the DOE 215-cycle annual test basis.
• ENERGY STAR lists multiple drying methods, including air dry, condensation dry, fan-assisted dry, and heated dry.
• A product's annual kWh does not isolate the cost of one heated-dry selection, so a fixed cents-per-cycle claim would be misleading without model-specific data.

Why heated dry changes dishwasher energy use

Dishwasher drying can be handled by different methods. Heated dry adds heat, while some machines offer no-heat, air-dry, condensation, fan-assisted, mineral, or automatic-door-release approaches. ENERGY STAR's consumer guidance specifically calls out the ability to turn off heated dry as an energy-saving feature.

The direction is clear: using a heating feature adds energy compared with avoiding that heat when an alternative is available. The size of the difference depends on the appliance, cycle, load, settings, and how the dishwasher's controls manage drying.

Why there is no universal heated-dry cost per cycle

The ENERGY STAR dishwasher test calculates annual energy using a 215-cycle basis, and the annual figure includes several functions rather than an itemized heated-dry charge. Two models can have different drying designs, capacities, soil sensing, and cycle behavior. Dividing the category median by 215 creates a useful whole-cycle comparison, but it cannot isolate a feature's exact cost.

For the July 2026 median, 239 kWh/year ÷ 215 cycles equals about 1.11 kWh per standardized cycle, or about 21¢ at 18.83¢/kWh. That is the whole certified test-basis cycle, not the heated-dry portion.

How to use less dishwasher energy

Run full loads, scrape rather than pre-rinse when the dishwasher instructions allow it, and choose a no-heat or air-dry option when available and suitable. ENERGY STAR also notes that an energy-saving wash cycle may be available on some models. Use the appliance manual for the specific controls and results a model supports.

For annual comparisons, browse certified dishwashers and see the site's dishwasher electricity cost per cycle guide.

How to compare drying choices when shopping

Check the exact model's annual kWh, drying method, and available cycle options. A lower annual kWh is the stronger cross-model comparison because it reflects the standardized test. A feature list alone cannot show the cost of how a household will use the machine.

FAQ

Is heated dry expensive to run? Heated dry uses extra energy compared with an available no-heat or air-dry option, but the added dollar amount depends on the dishwasher and selected program. The certified annual label does not provide a universal heated-dry-only price per cycle.

Does air drying dishes save electricity? ENERGY STAR recommends using an air-dry option if available, and it highlights the ability to turn off heated dry as an energy-saving feature. Drying performance can vary by model and load, so check the appliance manual for its intended use.

How much does a dishwasher cost per cycle with heated dry? The July 2026 certified dishwasher median is about 21¢ per complete standardized test-basis cycle at 18.83¢/kWh. That whole-cycle estimate includes operation, water heating, and drying; it does not isolate the heated-dry setting.

Should I always turn off heated dry? Use the setting that fits the desired drying result and the appliance instructions. Turning off heated dry can save energy when a no-heat option is available, but this article does not replace a model's safety, care, or performance guidance.

Data notes & sources

WattCost's whole-cycle comparison uses the July 2026 certified dishwasher snapshot, the DOE 215-cycle test basis, and EIA's April 2026 U.S. average residential electricity price.

Primary guidance: ENERGY STAR dishwasher guidance and ENERGY STAR dishwasher criteria.

Electricity-rate context: U.S. EIA residential electricity-price table.