Energy Consumption of Dishwashers
Key facts
- In 1990, all shipped dishwashers consumed at least 600 kWh/yr. By 2017, 98% of them consumed fewer than 300 kWh/yr.
- From 1990 to 2017, water consumption in dishwashers decreased by 60%.
- To learn more about purchasing an energy-efficient dishwasher, visit the ENERGY STAR dishwashers page.
Average annual unit energy consumption
The annual unit energy consumption (UEC) of dishwashers decreased by 74% from 1990 to 2017.1
See Choosing and Using Appliances With EnerGuide for more information.
Text version
Average annual UEC of dishwashers, 1990–2017 (kWh/yr)
Model year | kWh/yr |
---|---|
1990 | 1025.7 |
1991 | 959.0 |
1992 | 908.0 |
1993 | 913.5 |
1994 | 776.7 |
1995 | 670.9 |
1996 | 668.2 |
1997 | 649.2 |
1998 | 646.7 |
1999 | 640.1 |
2000 | 637.4 |
2001 | 633.7 |
2002 | 592.0 |
2003 | 523.9 |
2004 | 456.8 |
2005 | 395.7 |
2006 | 372.6 |
2007 | 353.8 |
2008 | 342.9 |
2009 | 324.7 |
2010 | 309.6 |
2011 | 298.0 |
2012 | 278.4 |
2013 | 275.2 |
2014 | 270.7 |
2015 | 268.2 |
2016 | 267.3 |
2017 | 265.8 |
The rating for dishwashers also takes into account standby power consumption (the energy used while the appliance is idle) and continues to include the energy required to heat water. Soil-sensing dishwashers are also subject to a new test procedure that reflects the average energy used when they are tested under light, medium and heavy soil loads.
Water consumption
The industry has improved the overall water efficiency of dishwashers over the years. From 1990 to 2017, the average hot water consumed during a dishwasher cycle decreased by 60%.2
1990 | 2017 | % Change 1990–2017 |
|
---|---|---|---|
Hot water used per cycle (litres) | 29.5 | 11.9 | -59.7 |
Distribution of shipments by unit energy consumption
In 1990, all shipped dishwashers consumed 600 kWh/yr or more. By 2017, 98% of them consumed fewer than 300 kWh/yr.
Dishwashers that consume less than 250 kWh/yr appeared for the first time in 2011 and attained a share of 14% in 2017.
Text version
Distribution of dishwashers by average annual UEC, 1990–2017 (%)
150–249.9 kWh/yr | 250–299.9 kWh/yr | 300–349.9 kWh/yr | 350–399.9 kWh/yr | 400–499.9 kWh/yr | 500–599.9 kWh/yr | >600 kWh/yr | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
1991 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
1992 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
1993 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 99.6 |
1994 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 99.0 |
1995 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 98.0 |
1996 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 95.0 |
1997 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 20.5 | 78.1 |
1998 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 23.4 | 75.3 |
1999 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 24.9 | 73.6 |
2000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 3.9 | 19.3 | 76.7 |
2001 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.5 | 23.9 | 70.6 |
2002 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 13.6 | 37.8 | 45.5 |
2003 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 33.6 | 36.5 | 20.7 |
2004 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 24.3 | 46.4 | 16.5 | 8.8 |
2005 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19.6 | 55.5 | 15.5 | 6.4 | 3.0 |
2006 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 28.2 | 61.8 | 5.7 | 2.7 | 1.3 |
2007 | 0.0 | 2.6 | 48.9 | 42.7 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 |
2008 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 69.7 | 26.9 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2009 | 0.0 | 4.2 | 85.3 | 10.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2010 | 0.0 | 13.6 | 79.6 | 6.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2011 | 1.5 | 43.1 | 55.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2012 | 9.5 | 76.7 | 13.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2013 | 10.1 | 83.1 | 6.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2014 | 13.0 | 83.0 | 4.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2015 | 6.5 | 90.8 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2016 | 7.0 | 90.7 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
2017 | 13.5 | 84.9 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
- The test procedure for measuring energy efficiency was updated for dishwashers as a result of amendment to the Energy Efficiency Regulations that came into force in 2017.
- Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency, Equipment database.