Quick answer
A dishwasher is usually a moderate rather than extreme electricity cost. In many homes the bigger issue is how often it runs, what programme is used, and whether loads are genuinely full enough to justify the cycle.
Running cost guide
Dishwasher running cost
Dishwashers are often cheaper to run than people assume when they are used with full loads and eco cycles. They become less attractive when they are half empty, run on quick hot programmes, or used where a simple sink wash would have done the job.
Last reviewed: 16 April 2026 - UK-focused estimate guide
Longer eco cycles can still be cheaper because they often use less water-heating energy even if the programme time looks inconvenient.
A dishwasher used once or twice a week is one thing. One used every day on a family household pattern can become a meaningful yearly cost.
Dishwasher economics also depend on water use, detergent use and whether you are comparing with careful bowl washing or a hot tap running for ages.
What usually changes the answer
These are the practical details that usually change the answer more than a manufacturer headline or a one-line forum estimate.
- Programme temperature affects water-heating demand more than cycle length alone.
- Partial loads make the cost per set of dishes much worse, even when the total electricity per cycle is unchanged.
- Older machines may use more electricity and water, which is where replacement savings can begin to make sense.
- If you routinely use intensive cycles for lightly soiled dishes, your real cost may be higher than expected.
Related pages
Use these next if your question has moved from a simple cost or saving estimate into a bigger household decision.
Washing machine running cost
Laundry and dishwashing costs often rise for the same reason: hot cycles and frequent use.
Kettle running cost
Useful if you are trying to sense-check kitchen electricity use more broadly.
Old appliance replacement savings
Use the same payback logic when deciding whether an older kitchen appliance still earns its place.
Methodology
See how electricity-based appliance estimates are built and what they do not include.
Is a dishwasher expensive to run?
Usually not on the scale of electric heating or tumble drying, but the yearly total can still be noticeable in larger households.
Is eco mode actually cheaper?
Usually yes. It often feels slower because it uses lower temperatures and longer soak periods, but that can reduce overall energy use.
Is it cheaper to wash up by hand?
It depends how you wash up. A careful basin wash can be frugal, while a long-running hot tap can easily undermine the assumed saving.