How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher? (UK 2026)
Based on the active UK Ofgem price cap of 24.5p per kWh (1 January 2026 – 31 March 2026).
A typical 1500W dishwasher costs £0.37 per hour of continuous use at current UK electricity rates (24.5p/kWh). For typical daily usage (1 daily Eco cycle (approx. 2.5–3 hours active runtime, ~0.85 kWh/cycle = 1h eq at 1500W)), it costs approximately £0.37 per day or £134.80 per year.
Manufacturer specs: Siemens iQ500 & Bosch Serie 6 dishwasher technical fiches (1500W heating element, 0.75-0.95 kWh/cycle)
* Includes 0.5W standby consumption outside active hours (£1.03/year).
How to Save Money Running a Dishwasher
- Always select the Eco 50°C cycle; it consumes up to 30% less electricity than Intensive 70°C or Auto cycles.
- Do not rinse dishes under running hot water before loading; scrape food scraps into food waste instead.
- Only run the dishwasher when completely full, organizing plates so spray arms rotate freely without obstruction.
- Open the dishwasher door slightly at the end of the wash to air dry dishes naturally rather than using heated dry cycles.
Alternative Appliances Compared
vs. Washing Machine
View running cost →Like washing machines, 85% of dishwasher electricity is spent heating water; keeping temperatures around 50°C yields maximum efficiency.
vs. Kettle / Hand Washing
View running cost →Washing a full load by hand typically consumes 40–60 litres of hot water, costing more in water and gas/electricity than a modern dishwasher (9–12 litres).
Dishwasher Technical Power Profile
Source data: Siemens iQ500 & Bosch Serie 6 dishwasher technical fiches (1500W heating element, 0.75-0.95 kWh/cycle)
Frequently Asked Questions: Dishwasher Electricity Costs
How much does a dishwasher cycle cost in the UK?â–¾
A modern full-size dishwasher in Eco mode consumes approx. 0.85 kWh per cycle. At 24.5p/kWh, that costs approx. 20.8p per load. An intensive 70°C cycle consumes around 1.4 kWh (approx. 34.3p).
Is it cheaper to wash dishes by hand or use a dishwasher?â–¾
A fully loaded modern dishwasher is cheaper and uses roughly one-fourth of the water compared to hand washing under running hot water.
Does the Eco setting on a dishwasher really save electricity?â–¾
Yes. Eco cycles heat water to 50°C instead of 65°C or 70°C. Lowering the water temperature cuts energy demand by 25% to 35% despite running longer.
Should I turn off heated drying?â–¾
Yes. If your dishwasher has a heated drying element, turning it off and letting dishes air-dry saves around 15% of the total cycle electricity.
Can I run my dishwasher overnight on a cheaper off-peak tariff?â–¾
Yes. Many smart UK tariffs (like Octopus Agile or Economy 7) offer electricity as low as 7p–10p/kWh overnight, cutting your dishwasher running cost to under 8p per cycle.