Turns out, there's a "golden hour" for dishwashing
This Is the Best Time of Day to Run Your Dishwasher, According to an Appliance Expert
Published on Jul. 19, 2025
We all have our routines. Some are aspirational, like meal prepping or putting your phone away an hour before bed. Others are necessary, like loading the dishwasher and pressing “start” after dinner so you can wake up to clean forks.
But that simple push of a button? It turns out that timing matters more than you’d think. According to Aldo Ceja, a home-maintenance pro with Thumbtack, when you run your dishwasher can impact your energy bill, the temperature of your home and even how long your appliance lasts.
Read on to find out when that time is.
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What is the ideal time of day to run your dishwasher?
“If your utility rate is based on time of use, then you have to pay attention to high usage hours,” says Ceja. “Basically, running your dishwasher when most people are likely to run it will cost you more, and when less people are likely to run it, it will cost you less.”
Utility companies do this to incentivize energy efficiency. For many households, the sweet spot when rates are lowered starts after 9 p.m. Why? That’s when demand for electricity drops; people are winding down, not firing up ovens or blasting the AC. Your dishwasher uses the same energy it always does—but off the clock, it’s a better deal for you, the consumer.
What is the worst time to run your dishwasher?
That post-dinner rush, from about 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., is what Ceja calls “prime time.”
“Everyone’s doing something that pulls power,” like cooking, watching TV and charging their phones, he explains. “So rates go up. And if your dishwasher’s kicking out heat during those hours, it’s also making your home warmer, which means in the summer months your air conditioner has to work harder.”
And that heat bump can add up. “You’re basically paying extra for your appliance to compete with your cooling system,” he says.
How much can you potentially save?
Electricity rates during peak hours can average around 23 cents per kilowatt-hour, while off-peak rates can drop to as low as 1.6 cents. Since the average dishwasher cycle uses about 1.8 kilowatt-hours, that’s a difference of roughly 38 cents per load. If you run your dishwasher five times a week, shifting to off-peak hours could save you close to $100 a year, just by choosing a better time to press start.
What’s a smart trick that can make this even easier?
If your dishwasher has a delay-start button, use it. Set it after dinner to kick on later that night, then go live your life. “It’s one of the easiest ways to save energy without changing your routine,” Ceja says.
Many newer models also offer app-based scheduling, which is perfect for those who want to time their cycles without hovering in the kitchen.
How else can you save?
Ceja shared a few bonus tips to help your dishwasher run better and longer and save you a little more along the way:
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Run only full loads. Half loads still create full water waste.
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Clean your dishwasher monthly. A vinegar rinse or dishwasher cleaner can prevent gunk and odor. Don’t forget to clear out the filter.
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Wipe the seals. Mold loves a rubber gasket.
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Check for clogs. If your dishes are still dirty, look at the filter or spray arms.
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Hear a weird rattle? Something may be stuck or loose, and catching it early helps.
Running your dishwasher isn’t just about clean plates; it’s also a chance to save money, reduce wear and outsmart your utility bill. Sure, it’s just a dishwasher cycle, but it’s also an energy hack hiding in plain sight.
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Source:
- Aldo Ceja, home-care expert at Thumbtack; interviewed, July 2025
