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Washing Machine Electricity Cost Calculator

Estimate what your washing machine costs per cycle and per year — and why the wash temperature matters most.

Quick answer

A washer drawing about 500 W for a one-hour cycle uses 0.5 kWh — about 8.5¢ per load at $0.17/kWh. Hot washes cost more because heating water takes most of the energy. Compare other appliances on the electricity cost calculator.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Energy
  • Updated October 2026
W

On the label or manual. 1 kW = 1000 W.

%

Share of time it actually draws full power. AC and fridges cycle on and off; lights and TVs are 100%.

Find it on your bill (cents ÷ 100).

Cost per month (30 days)

$2.55

Cost per day
$0.09
Cost per year
$31.03
Cost per hour of use
$0.09
Energy per day
0.5 kWh
Energy per month
15 kWh
Show the working
  1. 500 W × 1 h × 100% × 1 ÷ 1000 = 0.5 kWh/day
  2. 0.5 kWh × $0.17 = $0.09 per day

About the Washing Machine Electricity Cost calculator

The motor in a washing machine uses relatively little power. Most of the energy goes into heating water: a 40 °C wash might use 0.5–1 kWh per cycle, while a 60–90 °C cycle can use 1.5–2.5 kWh. Cold washes use a fraction of that.

Machines that take hot water from your boiler or water heater use less electricity themselves, but the heating cost moves to your water heater rather than disappearing.

The default here (500 W average over a 1-hour cycle ≈ 0.5 kWh) is a typical 30–40 °C wash. If your machine’s label lists kWh per cycle, enter that number × 1000 as watts with 1 hour.

How to use it

  1. Enter the average power, or kWh per cycle × 1000.
  2. Enter cycles per day as hours (for example 0.5 for one wash every two days).
  3. Enter your electricity price.

The formula

Cost per wash = kWh per cycle × Price

  • Average watts × cycle length in hours ÷ 1000 = kWh per cycle.

Worked example

One 40 °C wash a day

  1. About 0.5 kWh per cycle.
  2. At $0.17/kWh: about $0.09 per wash.
  3. About $31 per year at one wash a day.

Frequently asked questions

Does washing at 30 °C really save money?

Yes. Water heating is the main cost, so a 30 °C wash can use well under half the energy of a 60 °C one. Modern detergents are designed to work at low temperatures.

Are eco programmes cheaper even though they take longer?

Usually yes. They soak longer at lower temperatures, which takes more time but less heating energy.

What about the tumble dryer?

Dryers often cost more per load than washing. Run the calculator with your dryer’s wattage (often 2,000–3,000 W) and cycle time.

Results are estimates for planning — check critical figures with a professional or the official source.

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