Kitchen · Hawaii
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher in Hawaii?
The short answer
A typical dishwasher uses about 1.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.72 per load in Hawaii — about $15.64 a month at 5 loads a week.
Hawaii’s average residential rate was 48.0¢ per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), 162% above the US average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Dishwasher cost by number of loads in Hawaii
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 6.5 | $0.10 | $3.13 | $37.54 |
| 3 loads/week | 19.6 | $0.31 | $9.39 | $113 |
| 5 loads/week | 32.6 | $0.51 | $15.64 | $188 |
| 7 loads/week | 45.6 | $0.72 | $21.90 | $263 |
| 10 loads/week | 65.2 | $1.03 | $31.29 | $375 |
| 14 loads/week | 91.3 | $1.44 | $43.80 | $526 |
Hawaii vs other states
Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the country, so running a dishwasher here costs $138 more a year than in Louisiana at the same usage.
Hawaii has the most expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Hawaii · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in Hawaii
48.0¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +22.0% from a year earlier.
How to lower the cost of running a dishwasher
Most of a dishwasher's electricity goes into heating water and running the heated-dry cycle; the pump and motor use comparatively little. A typical load uses around 1–2 kWh. ENERGY STAR models and eco cycles use less water and lower temperatures, and skipping heated dry can save around 15% per load. Running a full dishwasher generally uses less energy and water than washing the same dishes by hand.
- Only run it when it's full, and use the eco or energy-saver cycle.
- Turn off heated dry and let dishes air-dry with the door cracked open.
- Scrape instead of pre-rinsing under hot water.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost per load to run a dishwasher in Hawaii?
A typical load uses about 1.50 kWh, which costs $0.72 at Hawaii’s average rate of 48.0¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.43 per load.
How many kWh does a dishwasher use per month?
At 5 loads a week, a typical dishwasher uses about 32.6 kWh a month. In Hawaii that costs $15.64.
Is it expensive to run a dishwasher in Hawaii?
Hawaii has the most expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 48.0¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a dishwasher here costs about $188 a year at typical use, compared with $71.61 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in Hawaii right now?
The average residential electricity rate in Hawaii was 48.0¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 22.0% from a year earlier.
Is it cheaper to use a dishwasher or wash by hand?
A full, efficient dishwasher typically uses less hot water — and therefore less energy — than washing the same load by hand under a running tap.
Dishwasher costs in nearby states
Other appliances in Hawaii
Cheapest and priciest states
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Default usage for dishwasher: 5 loads a week. Typical power 1,800W.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).