Kitchen · South Carolina
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher in South Carolina?
The short answer
A typical dishwasher uses about 1.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.23 per load in South Carolina — about $5.04 a month at 5 loads a week.
South Carolina’s average residential rate was 15.5¢ per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), 16% below the US average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Dishwasher cost by number of loads in South Carolina
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 6.5 | $0.03 | $1.01 | $12.10 |
| 3 loads/week | 19.6 | $0.10 | $3.03 | $36.30 |
| 5 loads/week | 32.6 | $0.17 | $5.04 | $60.50 |
| 7 loads/week | 45.6 | $0.23 | $7.06 | $84.70 |
| 10 loads/week | 65.2 | $0.33 | $10.08 | $121 |
| 14 loads/week | 91.3 | $0.46 | $14.12 | $169 |
South Carolina vs other states
At typical use, a dishwasher costs $60.50 a year in South Carolina — $127 less than in Hawaii and $10.75 more than in Louisiana.
South Carolina has the 20th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. South Carolina price per kWh · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in South Carolina
15.5¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +5.2% 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 South Carolina?
A typical load uses about 1.50 kWh, which costs $0.23 at South Carolina’s average rate of 15.5¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.14 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 South Carolina that costs $5.04.
Is it expensive to run a dishwasher in South Carolina?
South Carolina has the 20th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 15.5¢/kWh — cheaper than most. Running a dishwasher here costs about $60.50 a year at typical use, compared with $71.61 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in South Carolina right now?
The average residential electricity rate in South Carolina was 15.5¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 5.2% 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 South Carolina
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).