Do Countertop Dishwashers Use a Lot Of Electricity [The SURPRISING Answer] 

Originally Created on: April 11, 2023 @ 9:47 am

Do countertop dishwashers use a lot of electricity? Not everyone has the space or budget for a full-size dishwasher. This is why countertop dishwashers are a popular option.

Due to their small design, countertop dishwashers can easily fit in smaller kitchens. They are also an ideal option for people living in dorms or RVs. And the best part is that they are pretty affordable.

Like all other appliances, before bringing a countertop dishwasher to your home, it is crucial to determine whether they are energy efficient.

In this guide, we will explain whether countertop dishwashers use a lot of electricity and give you a rough estimate of how much power this appliance will consume per cycle. 

Also Read: Does a Portable Dishwasher Need Hot Water? [The BEST Answer]

Do Countertop Dishwashers Use a Lot of Electricity? 

Because they are way smaller, countertop dishwashers do not use a lot of electricity. A typical countertop dishwasher can use around 1000 watts per cycle. This converts to roughly 120kWh -150kWh per year.

To determine how much power a countertop dishwasher will use, check its rating and multiply it by the number of cycles you may run in a month or year. 

Please note that there are energy star certified countertop dishwashers in the market that use way less power because of the innovative technology integrated into their design.

With such an appliance, you may use less than 100kWh per year, which translates into relatively low energy bills. 

Compared to a full-sized dishwasher, the countertop version uses less power. This makes it a better option than handwashing which isn’t only tiresome but quite time-consuming.

When calculating the amount of electricity your dishwasher can use, factors such as the number of cycles you run per week or day and power charges in your area heavily determine the total cost.

People who run many cycles on their countertop dishwashers are more likely to use more power. A similar outcome can be expected if the prices of power are much higher in your location. 

When shopping for a countertop dishwasher, you don’t have to be worried about incurring high energy bills at the end of the month. 

Are Countertop Dishwashers Energy Efficient? 

As you filter through various countertop dishwashers, one of the features that are often highlighted is ‘energy efficiency’.

However, as a smart consumer, you already know that most manufacturers use this term as a marketing gimmick. But, generally, are countertop dishwashers energy efficient? Let’s find out. 

It’s true that countertop dishwashers are energy efficient. As a result, you will enjoy much lower energy bills. The energy efficiency of countertop dishwashers is attributed to several factors.

Their small size, allows them to only clean a few kitchen utensils at a time. That’s why they use little electricity per cycle. Also, the compact design eliminates features such as dryers which save on electricity. 

Another factor that contributes to the energy efficiency of countertop dishwashers is the presence of innovative tech.

Countertop dishwashers that are Energy Star certified are usually the most efficient appliances in the market.

Therefore, if energy efficiency is a top priority for you, examine the yellow energy guide labels and look for Energy Star certification. 

It’s worth mentioning that even though countertop dishwashers are energy efficient, they are only suitable for people who live alone or in small families.

If you usually wash a lot of dishes, with a countertop dishwasher, you will run many cycles and eventually use a lot of electricity. 

Which Dishwasher Cycle Uses Least Electricity?

The eco mode is the most energy-efficient cycle setting for a dishwasher. This setting reduces the temperatures and the intensity of the wash so as to minimize electricity consumption.

Eco-mode is a common cycle setting in most modern dishwashers, especially those that are energy star certified. This cycle works best for medium-soiled dishes or cups. It may not be very effective for utensils that are extremely dirty. 

As you may already know, dishwashers have different cycles. These settings usually include light, normal, and heavy.

The light cycle uses the least amount of power, unlike the heavy cycle which triggers intense washing and high temperatures.

Therefore, if your dishwasher doesn’t have an eco-mode cycle, you can always use light or normal to lower electricity consumption. 

While we are still discussing dishwasher cycles, you need to familiarize yourself with the settings that use a lot of electricity.

The likes of a quick wash, high temp, and sanitize cycles tend to use more heat thus increasing power consumption. You should also avoid the heat dry feature as it increases power usage. 

Which Kitchen Appliance is the Most Energy Efficient? 

Countertop dishwashers aren’t the only energy-efficient appliances you can introduce to your kitchen. There are plenty of options out there that are all worth exploring.

If you are shopping for kitchen appliances, here are some energy-efficient options worth considering; 

•    A Microwave – It uses way less power than an electric oven and can easily fit in smaller spaces. 
•    Air fryer – Did you know that an air fryer uses less than 0.5kWh in a day? That’s very little power that can be used to cook fries, chicken, and much more. 
•    Slow cookers – Though they take longer to prepare meals, slow cookers use very little electricity. Such an appliance can consume as low as 200 watts. 
•    Hot water tap – This modern kitchen appliance doesn’t only save water, but it’s quite energy efficient. With such an appliance installed in your kitchen, you will only spend a few cents worth of electricity per day. 

These four are the most energy-efficient appliances you can have in your kitchen. When shopping for any of these appliances, always consider those that feature an eco-mode and have energy star certifications. 

A chart on the average power consumption ratings of various kitchen appliances

Kitchen Appliance	Electricity Usage Per Month
Blender	700 watts
Microwave	6kWh
Refrigerator	41kWh
Electric Oven	60kWh
Electric Pressure Cooker	18kWh

Conclusion

Do countertop dishwashers use a lot of electricity? Absolutely, not! On the contrary, this nifty appliance actually uses way less power than full-sized dishwashers.

If you are keen on lowering your energy bills, you should definitely consider a countertop dishwasher. 

Still on energy efficiency, some countertop dishwashers are fitted with unique technology which significantly lowers their power consumption. Such options are usually energy star certified.

You should also familiarize yourself with the dishwasher cycles that use a lot of electricity. Always stick to light, normal and eco-mode cycles.