Cost of running a dishwasher?

Nine_Lives

Something i thought about for when we're set to move out...

Living at home, we've only ever washed the pots by hand - so all it costs is some fairy liquid (or rather, supermarket own brand as this is a money saving site) every now & then along with a few scouring pads etc.

Ok the cost of the dishwasher itself is going to be a bit, but once that's done - how does the cost of running it compare? Is it more a convenience thing - something you'd have if you have 10 kids for example?

Myser

Excluding the cost of water, dishwashing tablets/capsules and salt, you can work out the electricity costs by finding out the appliance power from the rating plate (usually found inside the door near the seal).

You then calculate the cost based on the kWh unit rate from your electricity supplier and how long the dishwasher is on for a complete cycle.

Nine_Lives wrote: »

...so all it costs is some fairy liquid (or rather, supermarket own brand as this is a money saving site) every now & then along with a few scouring pads etc.

On a separate note, I have found that Fairy liquid seems to last much longer than other brands such as supermarket's own, Persil and Morning Fresh and also lathers/cleans better. It also seems to be kinder to the hands as the adverts claim! I've also recently discovered that the cheap sponge scourers (green and yellow) such as the value ones which are a few pence for 5 of them, don't last as long as the more expensive ones such as Spontex etc.

Gloomendoom

Some info here...

How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?

monty-doggy

Ooh that good house I'm buying has a dishwasher. My OH will be thrilled

beedeedee

Whatever dishwasher tablets you use - cut them in half. The dishes will still sparkle and you'll save your money for other stuff..

Ben84

Myser wrote: »

...you can work out the electricity costs by finding out the appliance power from the rating plate (usually found inside the door near the seal).

You then calculate the cost based on the kWh unit rate from your electricity supplier and how long the dishwasher is on for a complete cycle...

This is likely to be a massive over estimate as the wattage printed on appliances is the maximum they will ever draw, which for a dishwasher would be during water heating. The heating element however won't be on for the entire cycle. Most likely a few minutes at most.

Fortunately, all the manufacturers now seem to tell you how many kWh a cycle of their dishwashers will use, so you can work it out from that.

Jonesya

I'd be surprised if you even notice the cost of running it - to keep the costs down you can buy standard/generic dishwasher tablets from Homebargains or supermarket own brands, they're about 6p each vs the colourful branded ones which can be 30p+. If you're on a water meter some models have quite low water usage, you get some that use ~10litres per cycle in their eco mode.

diable

Does it matter..........

DaftyDuck

diable wrote: »

Does it matter..........

This is MSE... so, yes, it does!

Running a dishwasher is a minimal cost, however. I've used one of those meter-thingies and my Zanussi cheapo costs 8p for a full load. That's not including tablet/powder, additives like salt & rinse aid, or the water itself. Using a bowl still needs W. up liquid and a scrubbing pad/brush... time to do a real Scrooge calculation....

Better_Days

If you have a water meter it is likely that a d/w will use less water. We are currently in rented and I am really missing my d/w. We must be using more water doing the washing up as we go along rather than one cycle on the d/w every evening.

When we buy our next house I will ensure there is a space for a d/w - really is worth the convenience.

rustyboy21

Have a look in your local Aldi supermarket.

I bought a bag of their dishwasher powder at Christmas to try, as sick of paying loads for tablets. It was £3.99 for 100 washes. It was great, smells like a commercial product does ( not flowery/lemony)
The dishes come out sparkling clean, squeaky in fact. Never have to put something back in to wash again,due to dried on stains.

Was reduced to £2.49 early this year, so bought 12 bags of it!

Look in the sales bins for it, it is not on the shelves. Their dishwasher cleaning fluid and rinse aid are really good too.

Must be because they are a German co and most Germans have dishwasher, that it is good price. My German induction hob, states they recommend W5 glass cleaner to clean hob after cooking. That is from Lidl.