What the LG SIGNATURE SDNTH981* costs to run
ENERGY STAR certifies the LG SIGNATURE SDNTH981* at 220 kWh/yr, about average for its category to run for its category.
That $41 is priced at 18.8¢/kWh, the average of all 51 state rates this site tracks. Your own state's rate is one click away.
Efficient, or not, for a dishwasher
Against the category average of 232 kWh/yr, this model uses 5.2% less, ranking 93 of 737 dishwashers tracked here for running cost. That average is drawn from all 737 dishwashers ENERGY STAR currently certifies, not an outside number, a $2/year gap from this model at the national rate. Full sourcing is in the sourcing notes.
Right next to it on the list
A rank or two either side of the LG SIGNATURE SDNTH981*: LG SIGNATURE SDNAH981* ($41/yr, 220 kWh/yr), then Miele G 5482 SCVi SL ($41/yr, 220 kWh/yr).
Comparing LG SIGNATURE's own models
Ranked 2 of LG SIGNATURE's 3 certified dishwashers, this sits between the SDNAH981* ($41/yr, the brand's cheapest) and the LUDP890*** ($45/yr, its priciest).
Cost over its typical lifespan
NAHB's Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components puts a typical dishwasher's service life at 9 years; run the LG SIGNATURE SDNTH981* that long and it costs about $372 in electricity, on top of whatever it cost to buy.
Weighing a replacement
Efficient as certified dishwashers go, $41/year is a reasonable baseline if you're comparing what else is on the market.
Worth comparing a few current certified models before deciding.
If you're keeping it
A dishwasher like the LG SIGNATURE SDNTH981* is a real household expense whether or not it needs replacing yet; a protection plan is one way to budget for a repair rather than a full replacement.
Where this number comes from
Nothing here is estimated from a nameplate wattage; the 220 kWh/yr is ENERGY STAR's own certified figure for this model. At rank 93 of 737 for running cost, see the dishwasher category page for the rest of the field, or the guide to how much your state matters.