The cost of running a dishwasher per year depends on several factors, including the energy efficiency of the dishwasher, local utility rates, how often you use the dishwasher, and the water and energy-saving settings you use. However, I can provide you with a rough estimate based on average energy consumption and utility rates.
On average, a modern dishwasher with an Energy Star rating consumes around 3-4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per load. The water consumption per load is approximately 4-6 gallons (15-23 liters), depending on the model and cycle.
Let's assume you run the dishwasher four times per week, and each load consumes 3.5 kWh of electricity and 5 gallons (18.9 liters) of water. To calculate the annual cost, we need to consider both electricity and water expenses:
Electricity Cost:
- Average dishwasher energy consumption per year = 3.5 kWh/load x 4 loads/week x 52 weeks = 728 kWh/year
- Electricity cost (per kWh) = Your local utility rate (in USD)
- Total annual electricity cost = 728 kWh/year x (Electricity cost per kWh)
Water Cost:
- Average dishwasher water consumption per year = 5 gallons/load x 4 loads/week x 52 weeks = 1,040 gallons/year
- Water cost (per gallon) = Your local utility rate (in USD)
- Total annual water cost = 1,040 gallons/year x (Water cost per gallon)
Add the total annual electricity cost and the total annual water cost together to get an estimate of how much it costs to run your dishwasher per year.
Keep in mind that this is just an approximate calculation, and actual costs may vary depending on your specific usage and utility rates. To get a more accurate estimate, you can check your utility bills for the exact rates and use the specific energy and water consumption data from your dishwasher's user manual or the manufacturer's website.