A dishwasher appliance adapted for interaction with a user with regard to controlling and monitoring operation of the dishwasher appliance, comprising: a control device configured to direct a first automatic wash cycle within a series of automatic wash cycles to be executed by the dishwasher appliance, each successive automatic wash cycle within the series configured to have an increased energy usage level over a preceding automatic wash cycle, the energy usage level for each automatic wash cycle being determined from at least one operational parameter associated with the respective automatic wash cycle, the control device configured to monitor the at least one operational parameter during the operation of the first automatic wash cycle of the dishwasher appliance and to determine an energy usage level for the first automatic wash cycle therefrom; an actuator device operably engaged with the control device, the actuator device being configured to be responsive to the user to select a second automatic wash cycle to be executed by the dishwasher appliance following the first automatic wash cycle as directed by the control device, the second automatic wash cycle comprising a preceding automatic wash cycle or a successive automatic wash cycle in the series of automatic wash cycles with respect to the first automatic wash cycle, the user thereby being capable of selecting the second automatic wash cycle to be executed by the dishwasher appliance, at least partially based on the energy usage level and/or a cleanliness evaluation of dishware washed by the dishwasher appliance in the first automatic wash cycle; and a display device in communication with the control device, the display device being responsive to the control device to display an indicia of the at least one operational parameter and the determined energy usage level associated therewith. a control device configured to direct a first automatic wash cycle within a series of automatic wash cycles to be executed by the dishwasher appliance, each successive automatic wash cycle within the series configured to have an increased energy usage level over a preceding automatic wash cycle, the energy usage level for each automatic wash cycle being determined from at least one operational parameter associated with the respective automatic wash cycle, the control device configured to monitor the at least one operational parameter during the operation of the first automatic wash cycle of the dishwasher appliance and to determine an energy usage level for the first automatic wash cycle therefrom; an actuator device operably engaged with the control device, the actuator device being configured to be responsive to the user to select a second automatic wash cycle to be executed by the dishwasher appliance following the first automatic wash cycle as directed by the control device, the second automatic wash cycle comprising a preceding automatic wash cycle or a successive automatic wash cycle in the series of automatic wash cycles with respect to the first automatic wash cycle, the user thereby being capable of selecting the second automatic wash cycle to be executed by the dishwasher appliance, at least partially based on the energy usage level and/or a cleanliness evaluation of dishware washed by the dishwasher appliance in the first automatic wash cycle; and a display device in communication with the control device, the display device being responsive to the control device to display an indicia of the at least one operational parameter and the determined energy usage level associated therewith.