How much does it cost to run a dishwasher? (2026 price cap)

Typical rating and how we worked this out

This page uses a typical rating of 1.8kW for a dishwasher; published figures for this appliance range from 1.2kW to 2.4kW. Most of a dishwasher's energy goes into heating water, so the eco cycle — which washes at a lower temperature over a longer time — typically uses around 30% less energy than a standard cycle for a similar clean. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as 4 cycles a week, averaging 1.17kWh each, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.

Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).

Cost by region

Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:

East Midlands is cheapest at £61.72 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £67.80 a year — a gap of £6.08 for identical use.

How a dishwasher compares with similar appliances

Ranked by typical annual cost in kitchen, GB average:

• dishwasher — £64.05 a year (this page)
• chest freezer — £64.56 a year
• air fryer — £68.05 a year
• kettle — £72.05 a year
• bread maker — £54.75 a year
• slow cooker — £49.27 a year

Three practical ways to cut the cost

1. Run the eco cycle as default — cooler water and more time rather than more energy
2. Only run full loads — a dishwasher uses nearly the same energy half-loaded or full
3. Skip heated dry and let dishes air-dry with the door ajar

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher for an hour?

47p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 1.8kW). One typical use — 4 cycles a week, averaging 1.17kWh each — costs closer to 31p.

How much does a dishwasher cost to run per year?

Around £64.05 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 4 cycles a week, averaging 1.17kWh each — about £1.23 a week.

Which UK region is cheapest to run a dishwasher in?

East Midlands, at £61.72 a year, against £67.80 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £6.08 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.

Does the exact wattage of my dishwasher change the cost much?

Yes — ratings range 1.2kW–2.4kW, so the top of that range costs about 2.0x the bottom. This page uses 1.8kW; check your own rating plate.

Does the October 2026 price cap affect this figure?

Yes — figures use the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity excludes VAT (removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027); gas includes 5%. See the price cap page for the full breakdown.

Sources

• EcoCostSavings — dishwasher wattage and energy efficiency — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
• Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).

Related

• Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
• Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
• Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
• Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.