ENERGY · RUNNING COSTS

What a dishwasher costs to run

On the price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026, a dishwasher rated 65 kWh per 100 cycles costs 17.1p a cycle, in Great Britain on average and paying by Direct Debit. Put in your own model and region below.

Your region
Today's cap
Real models

Each time it runs

17.1p

At 26.32p a kWh: the cap's Great Britain average on Direct Debit, 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026.

A week: 68.4p
A month: £2.97
A year: £35.69

The working

65 kWh per 100 cycles is 0.65 kWh a cycle.
0.65 kWh × 26.32p a kWh (Great Britain average, Direct Debit, VAT included) = 17.1p each time.
4 times a week is 68.4p; × 52.14 weeks = £35.69 a year, or £2.97 a month.

The standing charge (54.83p a day here) isn't in these figures: you pay it whatever you run. On Economy 7 or another time-of-use tariff, the cost depends on when it runs and your supplier's rates.

Real models

Ratings from each maker's or retailer's page. Great Britain average, Direct Debit.

Model	Rating	Each time
Bosch Series 6 SMD6YCX02G 60cm fully integrated dishwasher, 14 place settings, class A	54 kWh per 100 cycles	14.2p
Bosch Series 4 SMS4EMW06G 60cm freestanding dishwasher, 14 place settings, class B	65 kWh per 100 cycles	17.1p
Bosch Series 4 SMV4ECX23G 60cm fully integrated dishwasher, 14 place settings, class C	75 kWh per 100 cycles	19.7p
Bosch Series 4 SPS4HMW14G 45cm slimline freestanding dishwasher, 10 place settings, class D	67 kWh per 100 cycles	17.6p
Bosch SMV4HTX00G 60cm fully integrated dishwasher, 13 place settings, class D	84 kWh per 100 cycles	22.1p

Where you live

A dishwasher rated 65 kWh per 100 cycles, on Direct Debit. The Great Britain average is 27.80p a kWh paying on receipt of a bill, and 25.52p on prepayment.

Region	A kWh	Each time	A year
Great Britain average	26.32p	17.1p	£35.69
Eastern England	26.61p	17.3p	£36.08
East Midlands	25.36p	16.5p	£34.37
London	26.60p	17.3p	£36.06
Merseyside and North Wales	27.86p	18.1p	£37.77
West Midlands	25.60p	16.6p	£34.71
North East England	25.46p	16.5p	£34.51
North West England	26.49p	17.2p	£35.91
Southern England	26.47p	17.2p	£35.88
South East England	26.88p	17.5p	£36.44
South Wales	26.55p	17.3p	£36.00
South West England	26.58p	17.3p	£36.04
Yorkshire	25.60p	16.6p	£34.71
South Scotland	26.11p	17p	£35.39
North Scotland	26.35p	17.1p	£35.72

A year is 4 cycles a week: my assumption, so put in your own use above.

What it uses

The energy label, under the A to G scale: the eco programme's kWh per 100 cycles.

Does it always use this much? The label figure is measured on the eco programme, which the rules make the default where possible. Other programmes will use a different amount.

Spending less

Only run the dishwasher when it's full, so you run it less often. (Energy Saving Trust: Quick tips to save energy)
Use the Eco setting if it has one, and wait until it's full before running a cycle. (Energy Saving Trust: What appliances drive up energy bills)
Don't rinse dishes before loading, use the right amount of detergent, and keep the salt and rinse aid topped up. (European Commission: Energy-efficient products, dishwashers)

Questions

How much does a dishwasher cost to run?

A dishwasher rated 65 kWh per 100 cycles costs 17.1p a cycle at the price cap's 26.32p a kWh (Great Britain average, Direct Debit, from 1 October to 31 December 2026). For 4 cycles a week, that's £35.69 a year. The calculator above takes your own model, use, region and how you pay.

Does an eco programme use less electricity even though it takes longer?

The Energy Saving Trust lists using the Eco setting as a way to cut a dishwasher's running costs. The label's kWh per 100 cycles is measured on the eco programme, and the rules say it should be the default programme where possible.

How much electricity does a dishwasher use?

Look for the kWh per 100 cycles figure on its energy label and divide by 100 for one eco wash. The Bosch models I checked ranged from 54 kWh per 100 cycles (class A, 14 place settings) to 84 (class D, 13 place settings).

Is a smaller dishwasher cheaper to run?

It can be, if you'd rarely fill a big one. The Energy Saving Trust says someone living alone who runs a family-sized dishwasher half-full may be wasting energy, because a smaller one could do the same job with less.