A dishwasher is a valuable appliance that most of us feel we cannot do without, but it is also a relatively energy-hungry consumer in our kitchens.
Do you know how many Amps a dishwasher uses?
On average, a dishwasher needs 10 Amps of current.
However, the current demand for the dishwasher will depend on its size and number of features.
Additional drying cycles that use hot air will increase the dishwasher’s energy consumption.
Many people use their dishwashers without giving much thought to the power it uses until their utility bill is delivered.
A dishwasher consumes an astonishing amount of power, but does this power rating vary from model to model?
We have studied several popular dishwasher models to find the answer.
Dishwasher Amp ratings (by Model)
Due to the variety of feature sets in each dishwasher model available in the market, every model comes with a different power rating.
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1. Bosch
The world-famous appliance brand Bosch is known for its quality and reliability.
Bosch manufactures dishwashers that typically use 12 Amps at 120 Volts, corresponding to 1440 Watts.
2. Samsung
The renowned South Korean brand Samsung standardizes the components used in their models,.
Which gives them a 15 Amp current rating across their range of dishwashers.
3. KitchenAid
KitchenAid dishwashers also use approximately 15 Amps of current.
This translates to about 1800 Watts of power usage.
4. Black & Decker
Black & Decker dishwashers draw 12 Amps, equivalent to 1440 Watts of power consumption.
5. Kenmore
The typical current rating of a Kenmore dishwasher is 8.2 Amps, with a power usage of 984 Watts.
6. LG
LG dishwashers typically require 15 Amps of current since they have a relatively larger capacity.
Offer a range of additional features such as air-drying the load of dishes using fans.
7. GE
GE produces a vast range of dishwashers having different capacities.
Their smaller dishwashers can run on as little as 6 Amps, while the larger models need up to 15 Amps.
Why do Dishwashers need a lot of power?
A dishwasher utilizes an enormous amount of electrical energy every time it goes through a cycle to clean the dishes properly.
Dishwashers have to use a lot of electricity for heating the water to high temperatures, pumping water at high pressure, and heating elements that heat air for drying.
Water and air heating require heaters that consume much power, and the pressure pump needs to be powerful enough to create the correct pressure.
Dishwashers do not rely on the hot water supply from your household water heater.
Instead, they heat the water internally as and when it is needed for the washing cycles.
Heating water takes up most of the power fed into the dishwasher.
However, it is still more economical for the dishwasher to heat its water than depending on an external hot water supply.
Tips for minimizing Dishwasher power consumption
Following are some ways to limit the amount of power usage by a dishwasher:
- Choose the right dishwasher: A dishwasher size that is not big enough for your needs will be used more frequently, resulting in increased power consumption. Instead, buy a larger dishwasher and use it less often.
- Remove excess food off the plates: Wiping bits of food off the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher will decrease the intensity of the cycle you need to use on the dishes. This will be converted into energy savings.
- Please turn on the Economy mode: On Economy mode, the dishwasher will limit the time it takes to complete a cycle, reducing the energy required to heat the water.
- Air-dry the utensils: Rather than running a drying cycle, leave the dishwasher’s door open once the washing cycle has finished and let the dishes air dry. It will only take about 30 minutes for the dishes to dry from the heat inside the machine.
Risk of using improper power ratings
All electrical appliances come with power ratings according to their usage.
For a dishwasher with a 10 amp power rating.
It will be inappropriate to install a circuit breaker with a much lower power rating or one with the same rating as the appliance.
Household dishwashers are supposed to be ranging from 10 to 15 amperes.
Therefore, the circuit where dishwashers would be connected must be 15 amps or 20 amps.
This is to prevent overloading and short circuit.
Which may result in any possible damage to your dishwasher’s components or even injuries due to electrocution.
Usually, the most common result of this mishap is fire.
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How many amps does a dishwasher use – FAQs
1. Can a dishwasher be on a 15-amp circuit?
When installing a 10-amp dishwasher, it should be connected to a dedicated 120-volt, 15-amp circuit.
2. Are dishwashers 15 amp or 20 amp?
The average household dishwasher uses 10 amps.
However, the current rating can vary from 6 amps to 15 amps, depending on the sizes and models.
3. Can you run a refrigerator and a dishwasher on the same circuit?
A dishwasher and refrigerator can be connected to the same circuit if you can reach the provisions in the NEC.
However, it is not recommended as a fault in one appliance may lead to disrupting the other’s operation.
4. How many appliances can you run on a 20 amp breaker?
On a 20-amp circuit, you can run a maximum of ten electrical outlets.
But their combined current should not exceed the 80% capacity of the breaker.
Related Reading: Why Is There Mold In My Dishwasher – Read More.
In Summary
To recap, ordinary household dishwashers generally use about 10 amps of current.
Still, the actual current rating of your dishwasher will be mentioned on the specifications plate at the back of the machine.
Given the number of heavy-duty gadgets and appliances used in a present-day kitchen.
Modern electrical codes require that the dishwashers have a dedicated circuit to prevent fire accidents.
Ensure a safe and smooth supply of electricity to your home.
