U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
Appliances Rates by state Compare Calculators Reports Methodology About

Kitchen · Washington

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher in Washington?

The short answer

A typical dishwasher uses about 1.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.22 per load in Washington — about $4.79 a month at 5 loads a week.

Washington’s average residential rate was 14.7¢ per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), 20% below the US average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Dishwasher cost by number of loads in Washington

Cost at 14.7¢/kWh, the Washington average (EIA, Jul 2026)
UsagekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 load/week 6.5 $0.03 $0.96 $11.51
3 loads/week 19.6 $0.09 $2.88 $34.52
5 loads/week 32.6 $0.16 $4.79 $57.53
7 loads/week 45.6 $0.22 $6.71 $80.54
10 loads/week 65.2 $0.32 $9.59 $115
14 loads/week 91.3 $0.44 $13.42 $161

Washington vs other states

At typical use, a dishwasher costs $57.53 a year in Washington — $130 less than in Hawaii and $7.78 more than in Louisiana.

Washington has the 13th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Washington electricity rates · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Washington

14.7¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +9.4% 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 Washington?

A typical load uses about 1.50 kWh, which costs $0.22 at Washington’s average rate of 14.7¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.13 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 Washington that costs $4.79.

Is it expensive to run a dishwasher in Washington?

Washington has the 13th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 14.7¢/kWh — cheaper than most. Running a dishwasher here costs about $57.53 a year at typical use, compared with $71.61 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Washington right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Washington was 14.7¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 9.4% 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

Cheapest and priciest states

Sources & method