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Data through April 2026

Category · 677 certified models

Dishwashers: what they cost to run

A dishwasher's cost accrues per load, so the DOE certification bakes in a standard year of cycles (215). On that basis the 677 certified models here cost between $15 and $45 a year at the U.S. average rate — median $45.

Most of a dishwasher's energy goes into heating water, so water-per-cycle and the drying method (heated vs. air/condensation) separate the efficient from the expensive. Every figure on this page comes from ENERGY STAR's certified test data — the 80–240 kWh/yr range you see is measured, not estimated.

Median cost
$45/yr
Cheapest model
$15/yr
Priciest model
$45/yr
80 kWh240 kWh
Distribution of certified annual kWh across 677 dishwashers

The 10 cheapest to run

See the full ranking →

Typical cost by state

Median certified dishwasher (239 kWh/yr) at each state's average residential rate
StateRate ¢/kWhMedian $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$42
Alaska27.4¢$65
Arizona15.5¢$37
Arkansas14.2¢$34
California35.3¢$84
Colorado16.5¢$40
Connecticut32.2¢$77
Delaware18.8¢$45
District of Columbia25.4¢$61
Florida15.4¢$37
Georgia15.4¢$37
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$111
Idaho12.7¢$30
Illinois20.5¢$49
Indiana17.9¢$43
Iowa13.9¢$33
Kansas15.8¢$38
Kentucky15.0¢$36
Louisiana14.4¢$35
Maine28.4¢$68
Maryland22.1¢$53
Massachusetts29.4¢$70
Michigan21.4¢$51
Minnesota16.4¢$39
Mississippi16.8¢$40
Missouri14.0¢$33
Montana13.9¢$33
Nebraska13.3¢$32
Nevada14.3¢$34
New Hampshire27.2¢$65
New Jersey23.5¢$56
New Mexico15.2¢$36
New York29.4¢$70
North Carolina16.3¢$39
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$30
Ohio19.5¢$47
Oklahoma13.3¢$32
Oregon15.8¢$38
Pennsylvania21.5¢$51
Rhode Island28.3¢$68
South Carolina17.1¢$41
South Dakota14.5¢$35
Tennessee14.9¢$36
Texas17.0¢$41
Utah13.3¢$32
Vermont24.6¢$59
Virginia17.4¢$42
Washington14.4¢$34
West Virginia16.1¢$38
Wisconsin19.2¢$46
Wyoming14.7¢$35

How to read these numbers

The certified annual kWh assumes 215 wash cycles per year (the DOE standard, roughly 4 loads a week) and includes the energy to heat water. Full methodology and limitations →

Questions, answered with the data

How much does a dishwasher cost to run per year?
The median ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher costs about $45 a year at the U.S. average rate (18.8¢/kWh). Across all 677 certified models, costs range from $15 to $45.
How much electricity does a dishwasher use?
Certified models use between 80 and 240 kWh per year (median 239). The certified annual kWh assumes 215 wash cycles per year (the DOE standard, roughly 4 loads a week) and includes the energy to heat water.
Where is a dishwasher cheapest and most expensive to run?
North Dakota has the lowest residential rate (12.3¢/kWh), putting the median dishwasher at $30 a year; Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) is the most expensive at $111.
What makes one dishwasher cheaper to run than another?
Most of a dishwasher's energy goes into heating water, so water-per-cycle and the drying method (heated vs. air/condensation) separate the efficient from the expensive.

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