How Much Does It Cost to Run a washing machine?
A typical washing machine uses about 400 watts, which costs about $0.07 per hour. Used 1 hour a day, that is $0.07 per day, $2 per month and about $26 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: about 1 hour of running time a day, or around 5–7 loads a week. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Washing machine running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.048 | $0.05 | $1.46 | $18 |
| $0.18 | $0.072 | $0.07 | $2.19 | $26 |
| $0.25 | $0.100 | $0.10 | $3.04 | $37 |
| $0.35 | $0.140 | $0.14 | $4.26 | $51 |
Based on 400 W for 1 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 h | 6 | $0.04 | $1.10 | $13 |
| 1 h | 12 | $0.07 | $2.19 | $26 |
| 2 h | 24 | $0.14 | $4.38 | $53 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 400 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
The motor itself draws about 250–600 W. Heating wash water with an electric water heater is a bigger cost than the machine and is not included here.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 250 | $0.045 | $1.37 | $16 |
| Typical | 400 | $0.072 | $2.19 | $26 |
| High | 600 | $0.108 | $3.29 | $39 |
At 1 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
400 W × 1 h ÷ 1,000 = 0.4 kWh per day
0.4 kWh × $0.18 = $0.07 per day
$0.07 × 30.42 days = $2.19 per month
How to cut the cost of running a washing machine
- Wash on cold for most loads – about 90% of a washer's energy goes to heating water, so it is the single biggest saving.
- Choose a front-loader or high-efficiency top-loader; they use less water and spin faster, which also trims dryer time.
- Wash full loads rather than two half loads – the motor and water heating cost nearly the same either way.
- Skip the extra rinse and heated sanitize options unless you really need them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a washing machine per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 400 W washing machine used 1 hours a day costs about $2.19 per month (12 kWh). That is about $26 a year.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine per hour?
About $0.072 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.140 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of a washing machine vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 250 W to 600 W here. At the same 1 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $1 to $3 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $4 per month.