Dishwasher Payback Calculator
Enter the machine cost, per-cycle running costs and your time.
Payback period
β
Enter values above
Saving per load
β
Time saved per week (hours)
β
Annual saving including time
β
Net saving in year one
β
Annual running cost
β
Worked example
With the default inputs shown below, this calculator returns the following results:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher price ($) | 700 |
| Installation cost ($) | 150 |
| Cost per dishwasher cycle ($) | 0.45 |
| Cost per hand wash load ($) | 0.9 |
| Loads per week | 5 |
| Minutes saved per load | 20 |
| Value of your time ($/hour) | 15 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Payback period | 31.2 weeks |
| Saving per load | $0.45 |
| Time saved per week (hours) | 1.7 |
| Annual saving including time | $1,417 |
| Net saving in year one | $567 |
| Annual running cost | $117 |
Values shown are produced by this page in your browser; change any input to update them.
How to use the Dishwasher Payback Calculator
- Dishwasher price ($) β default 700
- Installation cost ($) β default 150
- Cost per dishwasher cycle ($) β default 0.45
- Cost per hand wash load ($) β default 0.9
- Loads per week β default 5
- Minutes saved per load β default 20
- Value of your time ($/hour) β default 15
- Press Calculate to update the results instantly.
Frequently asked questions
For a full load, almost always. A modern eco cycle uses around 10 litres and about 0.9 kWh. Hand washing a full load under a running tap can use 40β60 litres and more hot water.
Use whatever you would pay to buy back 20 minutes a day β often less than your salary rate. Even at a modest figure the time saving usually doubles the financial saving.
Half loads destroy the economics. Set loads per week to the number of full loads you actually run; if the machine is rarely full, the payback stretches a long way out.