Compare the yearly water, energy and time cost of a dishwasher against washing up by hand.
How this works
A modern dishwasher uses about 1 kWh and 10 to 12 L per eco cycle. Washing the same load by hand uses around 40 to 60 L, and heating that water by 35 °C takes about 1.8 kWh. Hand washing a full load takes about 30 minutes, loading a machine about 10.
Questions people ask
How do I use the Dishwasher vs Hand Washing Cost tool?
Fill in the fields, starting with “Full loads a week”, “Dishwasher energy per cycle” and “Dishwasher water per cycle”, and change any other options that match your home. The answer, a drawing and practical tips update as you type, and the Copy link button saves your numbers in a link you can share.
Is the Dishwasher vs Hand Washing Cost tool free?
Yes. The Dishwasher vs Hand Washing Cost tool is free, with no sign-up, and works on phones, tablets and computers. The results are estimates to help you plan, so check with a qualified professional before structural, electrical, gas or plumbing work.