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How Much Energy Does a Dishwasher Use?
If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, you’ll see the exact energy use of every model listed on its EnergyGuide® label. You can also see the label online if you’re shopping for a new dishwasher on the web. Keeping your dishwasher in top shape will help minimize energy usage no matter what’s on the label.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Dishwashers use between about 200 and 800 kWh per year of electricity—costing between $2 and $8 per month to operate (based on an average electricity cost of 12 cents per kWh).
- The exact amount of energy that your dishwasher uses depends on its age and design.
- Help your dishwasher last longer and stay in top shape by scheduling annual maintenance checks by a technician.
Dishwashers use between about 200 and 800 kWh per year of electricity—costing between $2 and $8 per month to operate (based on an average electricity cost of 12 cents per kWh). The exact amount of energy that your dishwasher uses depends on its age and design. Newer dishwashers are more efficient than older models because the US Department of Energy (DOE) set energy use standards that require manufacturers to build more efficient dishwashers in 2013.
To further reduce energy use, manufacturers also offer ultra-efficient ENERGY STAR® dishwashers that save you more money than standard dishwashers and help the environment.
How Much Energy Does a New Dishwasher Use?
Any dishwasher built after 2012 will use less than 307 kWh per year of electricity in compliance with DOE manufacturing guidelines. That amount of energy use costs around $3 per month or less on your electric bill.
If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, you’ll see the exact energy use of every model listed on its EnergyGuide® label. You can also see the label online if you’re shopping for a new dishwasher on the web.
That annual energy usage listed on the EnergyGuide® label is based on using your dishwasher 215 times per year (4 times per week). If you use it every day (365 times peryea r), your dishwasher will use 40% more energy than listed on the EnergyGuide® tag. A new dishwasher meeting the minimum DOE standard (307 kWh per year costing $3 per month) will use 430 kWh per year and cost you about $4.30 per month on your electric bill.
How Much Energy Does an ENERGY STAR® Dishwasher Use?
When you see the ENERGY STAR® emblem on your dishwasher, you can trust that it uses less than 270 kWh per year of electricity. ENERGY STAR’s® most efficient dishwashers in 2021 use only 199 kWh per year of electricity costing about $2 per month. ENERGY STAR® uses 215 cycles per year (4 cycles/week) to rate dishwasher energy use. Using an ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher every day (365 cycles per year) will cost you between $3 and $4 per month to run.
How Much Energy Does an Older Dishwasher Use?
Dishwashers manufactured before 2004 weren’t limited on energy use by the DOE. If you have a dishwasher built in that era, it could be using up to 800 kWh per year of energy. For example, dishwashers built in 1993 averaged energy use of 686 kWh per year costing an average of $7 per month to run.**
Beginning in 2004, DOE energy use standards required manufacturers to build dishwashers that use less than 467 kWh per year. If your dishwasher was built after 2004, it will cost you less than $5 per month to run.
In 2012, the DOE enacted current energy use standards described above for new dishwashers. If you have a 2013 or newer model, it will use less than 307 kWh per year and cost less than $3 per month to operate.
Because the DOE and manufacturers have agreed that dishwashers have reached peak efficiency under the 2012 standards, stricter energy use guidelines aren’t anticipated by the DOE going forward.
If you have an older dishwasher that isn’t energy-efficient, replace it with a new model to take advantage of energy savings and help the environment.
To keep your dishwasher operating efficiently, follow cleaning and maintenance guidelines in your owner’s manual. Additionally, help your dishwasher last longer and stay in top shape by scheduling annual maintenance checks by a technician.
**According to research by the Florida Solar Energy Center.
Schedule your dishwasher maintenance now!
Regular dishwasher maintenance can help prevent costly breakdowns, reduce energy costs and extend the life of your appliance.
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Glossary Terms
A garbage disposal is a device installed under a kitchen sink that shreds food waste into small enough pieces to pass through plumbing, facilitating an easier and more hygienic kitchen waste management process.
A washing machine pedestal is a platform that raises the washer off the ground, providing easier access to the appliances and often includes additional storage space such as drawers.
A microwave cover is a kitchen accessory designed to fit over dishes being heated or cooked in a microwave oven, preventing splatters inside the microwave and helping to evenly distribute heat.
A microwave charcoal filter is a key component designed to purify the air circulated and expelled by over-the-range microwaves, removing odors, smoke, and grease from cooking.
Common Repair Dishwasher Symptoms
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher is leaking are a faulty pump and motor assembly, defective electronic control board or a worn door seal.
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher has no water are a broken detergent dispenser, defective electronic control board or a clogged water valve.
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher is not drying are a broken heating element, defective electronic control board or a stripped wire connector.
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher is not spinning are a defective electronic control board, damaged user interface control or a faulty pump and motor assembly.
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher is not starting are a defective electronic control board, damaged user interface control or a stripped wire connector.