How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher in the UK? (2026)
A dishwasher draws heavy power only while heating water and during the drying phase. Over a full cycle it averages 1 to 2 kWh, which is usually cheaper than washing the same dishes by hand with hot water.
A typical dishwasher (1,500 W) costs £0.39 per hour, or about £11.84 per month at 1 hour a day in the UK. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 1,200 W | £0.32 | £0.32 | £9.48 | £115.28 |
| Typical 1,500 W | £0.39 | £0.39 | £11.84 | £144.10 |
| High 2,400 W | £0.63 | £0.63 | £18.95 | £230.56 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 1 h/day ≈ 548 kWh per year.
One hour of a dishwasher (1.5 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 8.3km in an electric car
- 15hours of TV
- 33hours of a laptop
- 167hours of an LED bulb
In the UK, with electricity at 26.3p per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Oct–31 Dec 2026, 2026-10), a typical dishwasher costs £0.39 per hour and about £144.10 per year at 1 hour a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 2.5 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a dishwasher
- Skip the heated dry option and open the door at the end of the cycle instead.
- Only run full loads, and use the eco program.
- Scrape plates but do not pre-rinse under hot water.
- Connect to cold water if your dishwasher has its own heater and your hot water is electric.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh (£2.31) per year if it is never unplugged.
Is an efficient dishwasher worth it?
Class G dishwasher, about 105 kWh per 100 cycles: about 295 kWh a year. Class A dishwasher, about 55 kWh per 100 cycles: about 155 kWh. The difference is worth £36.85 a year in the UK.
- Replacing one that still works pays back in 19.0 years.
- When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model pays back in 5.4 years.
Usage assumed: 280 cycles a year. Typical prices: £700.00 for the efficient model, £200.00 more than a basic one. Work it out with your own prices
Frequently asked questions
Is a dishwasher cheaper than washing by hand?
Usually yes, if you run full loads. Hand washing with running hot water uses more energy and far more water.
How much does a dishwasher cycle cost?
About 1 to 1.5 kWh per cycle on a normal program. Use the hourly figure above as a per-cycle estimate.
What uses the most power in a dishwasher?
The water heating element, followed by the heated drying cycle.
Compare with
Cost by region
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Related appliances
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz