What a dishwasher costs to run in Spain
Enter the place settings, the class and the programme length. The calculator finds the cheapest start time.
A 13-place class D dishwasher uses at most 0.838 kWh on the eco programme, under the formula in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 behind its energy label. On today’s PVPC, 17 October, a 3.5-hour programme costs €0.02 including taxes if it starts at 12:00 and €0.24 if it starts at 0:00. A class B model of the same size uses at most 0.637 kWh, and its best cycle today costs €0.01. The eco programme is long because it washes at a lower temperature for more time, and that length matters: the calculator spreads the energy across the whole programme and charges each part at its own hour, so the cheapest start is not always the day’s single cheapest hour. Change the place settings, the class or the length to match your own machine’s label.
Running the dishwasher at 20:00 (17 October 2026)
€0.20
with taxes · 0.243 €/kWh on average
Some hours use the estimated average price (Red Eléctrica has not published that day yet): not the exact price.
| Energy (eco programme, 13 place settings, class D) | 0.84 kWh |
| Duration | 3.50 h |
| Best start time: 12:00 | €0.02 |
| Worst start time: 0:00 | €0.24 |
| With a fixed price of 0.187 €/kWh before taxes | €0.20 |
| Per year, 5 times a week at your chosen time | €52.89 |
| Per year, always at the best time | €5.06 |
Assumptions
Energy spread evenly over the programme, PVPC price of each hour with electricity tax and VAT. If the programme runs past midnight, the next day’s price is used. Power and meter are not included: you pay them whether or not you use the appliance. Method and sources
Checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Consumption by class
| Class | Maximum index | kWh per cycle (13 place settings) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 32 | 0.536 |
| B | 38 | 0.637 |
| C | 44 | 0.737 |
| D | 50 | 0.838 |
| E | 56 | 0.938 |
| F | 62 | 1.039 |
The dishwasher is the ideal appliance for a delayed start: load it after dinner and it does not matter whether it finishes at 2 am or 6 am. On weekdays the hours from midnight to 8 am carry the lowest tolls and charges, as the time-of-use periods guide explains; on very sunny days midday sometimes wins. The calculator tests every start time in 15-minute steps and gives you the right one.
If you also use the oven every day, see what it costs on the electric oven page: it tends to fall in the dinner-time peak.