Getting a new dishwasher is just the same as getting a new vehicle. It is expensive but it is a necessary component in every household in the United States. When it comes to the average cost of dishwasher purchase, most Americans would pay somewhere between $400 and $700.
However, it is important to take note that this price range only reflects how much homeowners would spend for the machine itself. It does not precisely account for the actual cost of a generic model as well as other cost considerations necessary to have a fully functional dishwasher at home. Other cost considerations worth noting are the price categories and the overall service fee.
Dishwasher Pricing Categories
When it comes to buying a particular model of dishwasher, you need to take note of the three price categories. Each category also has its own intrinsic advantages and limitations. These are the following types of dishwashers based on the cost grades:
- Budget
So how much does a dishwasher cost if you are planning to tighten your financial belt? Low-cost or budget dishwashers can be as cheap as $249. The premium varieties could cost no more than $499. Some of the budget models already sport a sleek stainless steel exterior that is on par with its more expensive variety in terms of aesthetics. However, a budget dishwasher is only limited to its rudimentary functions and stationary racks. They are usually limited to 2 to 3 cycles.
- Mid-range
A mid-range dishwasher could be anywhere between $500 and $999. Many American homeowners would opt for the cheapest mid-range quality because of the relative wealth of available options. Some of these mechanical features can even help attain a better return on investment when it comes to energy efficiency. Among the best features of a mid-range dishwasher includes adjustable racks and folding tines that maximize the placement of dishes.
- Luxury
The highest cost of dishwasher models is between $1,000 and $2,000. Luxury models sport the latest technology in terms of quality cleaning performance. These types of dishwashers also come with an extensive list of mechanical consoles and an abundance of cleaning cycles. Third racks push the limits of loading capacity that cannot be attained by cheaper varieties. More importantly, luxury dishwashers have the longest lifespan due to its excellent material quality.
Other Cost Considerations
It is crucial to contemplate on the query ‘how much does a dishwasher cost?’ in terms of its successful installation. Buying the machine is one thing, but getting it to work could be a tricky prospect especially for those who have no functional knowledge of assembling electrical and plumbing components.
When it comes to the cost of dishwasher installation, many American homeowners would pay anywhere between $171 and $517 for the average labor fee. In between this price range, the most prevalent cost to complete the dishwasher installation is only around $346. Some handymen may already bring their tools with them and include it in their overall service fee. But for those who do not, the average cost to buy the necessary tools is around $25.
7 Tips For Cost-Efficient Dishwasher Usage
At first, look, saving energy may seem like a task as broad and puzzling as keeping ‘world peace.’ However, great things are built out of small things being done right. The same can be said about saving energy bills for using the dishwasher, as of anything else. Here are some of the easy tips you can do to lower your energy bills while cleaning up the dishes.
- No rinsing
Instead of rinsing the dishes in the sink, it is better to scrape off bits of leftover food with a fork or a brush. This way, you can save approximately 55,000 gallons of water throughout the entire lifespan of the dishwasher (or even more if the machine is a top-of-the-line product). Apart from reducing the water bill, not rinsing the dishes in the 
sink could greatly reduce the potential of clogging the drain pipe, which could mean another budget for plumbing services.
- Always the full load
Every cycle of cleaning with the dishwasher costs energy and water. Therefore, you can take advantage of the machine’s full cleaning potential by having a fully loaded dishwasher in a single cycle. This way, you can fractionally save energy and water bills.
- Air dry after washing
Instead of drying the dishes inside the dishwasher’s heating, you can save extra electricity costs by simply putting the dishes in the drying rack. It may take longer for the dishes to dry but do so will also prevent the overheating of plates and silverware, which is pretty much another problem of its own.
- Avoid peak hours
Always take note of the time when energy is being utilized the most by the entire neighborhood. Peak hours can potentially charge higher electricity bills during peak hours. This is especially true when one lives in an apartment building. It is best to fully load the dishwasher and time the cycle late at night or early in the morning.
- Schedule electricity usage
While doing the dishes, it is best to forego using other electrical appliances at the moment. After all, dishwashers can be a voracious energy consumer. It is best to schedule the washing of dishes when the HVAC is turned off, either night time of summer or morning of winter.
- Keep it down to 49 degrees Celsius
Dishwashing machine uses hot water when cleaning plates and glasses. Unbeknownst to many, the water temperature can have a direct effect on both the effectiveness of the machine as well as the energy bills. The best temperature adjustment that balances both factors is no more than 49 degrees Celsius.
- Upgrade the system
Considering the question ‘how much does a dishwasher cost,’ making the most out of your investment means planning for an upgrade of the dishwashing machine. The beauty of newer models is that they use up a fraction of the water and energy required by their predecessors. Upgrading your dishwasher also means increasing your annual savings on energy bills.