Dishwashers can use between 1200-2400 watts1, although the average dishwasher uses only about 1800 watts per cycle (roughly the energy used to power a hairdryer for ten minutes). The electricity used by a dishwasher is usually needed only on the control electronics and the pump.

How much electricity does a dishwasher machine use?

For starters, dishwashers run on electricity. This report estimates that a dishwasher unit uses somewhere around 1.5 kWh on average to run a load of dishes, excluding the costs of the incoming water. That’s a cost of about $0.17 or so in the average American home.

Is it cheaper to wash dishes or use a dishwasher?

Conclusion. The evidence is clear—a dishwasher is far more efficient than hand washing dishes. It’s safer, faster, and cheaper than even the most frugal method of hand washing.