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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine? (2026)
Most of a washing machine's electricity goes to heating water, not spinning the drum. A cold wash uses a fraction of the power of a hot one, which is why the low and high figures differ so much.
A typical washing machine (500 W) costs $0.090 per hour, or about $2.70 per month at 1 hours a day in United States (average). Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (400 W) | $0.072 | $0.072 | $2.16 | $26.28 |
| Typical (500 W) | $0.090 | $0.090 | $2.70 | $32.85 |
| High (1,300 W) | $0.23 | $0.23 | $7.02 | $85.41 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 1 h/day ≈ 182 kWh per year.
How to lower the cost of running a washing machine
- Wash in cold water. Modern detergents are designed for it and it cuts consumption by up to 90 percent.
- Run full loads and use the eco cycle even though it takes longer.
- A higher spin speed uses slightly more power but saves far more on drying.
- Front loaders generally use less water and electricity than top loaders.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh ($1.58) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a washing machine use per load?
Around 0.3 kWh for a cold wash and 1 to 2 kWh for a hot wash.
Is the eco cycle really cheaper?
Yes. It heats water more slowly and to a lower temperature, which uses less energy despite the longer run time.
Does the washing machine use power when off?
About 1 watt in standby on most models, which is negligible.
Compare with
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India