How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in Canada? (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 C$0.070 per hour, or about C$2.10 per month at 1 hour a day in Canada. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 400 W | C$0.056 | C$0.056 | C$1.68 | C$20.44 |
| Typical 500 W | C$0.070 | C$0.070 | C$2.10 | C$25.55 |
| High 1,300 W | C$0.18 | C$0.18 | C$5.46 | C$66.43 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 1 h/day ≈ 182 kWh per year.
One hour of a washing machine (0.50 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 2.8km in an electric car
- 5.0hours of TV
- 11hours of a laptop
- 56hours of an LED bulb
In Canada, with electricity at 14.0¢ per kWh (source: Canada Energy Regulator 2026 market snapshot, 2026-06), a typical washing machine costs C$0.070 per hour and about C$25.55 per year at 1 hour a day. Each C$1.00 of electricity buys roughly 14.3 hours of use.
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 (C$1.23) per year if it is never unplugged.
Is an efficient washing machine worth it?
Class G washer, about 90 kWh per 100 cycles: about 200 kWh a year. Class A washer, about 47 kWh per 100 cycles: about 105 kWh. The difference is worth C$13.30 a year in Canada.
- Replacing one that still works pays back in 45.1 years.
- When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model pays back in 11.3 years.
Usage assumed: 220 cycles a year. Typical prices: C$600.00 for the efficient model, C$150.00 more than a basic one. Work it out with your own prices
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
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Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Clothes Iron1,500 W typical
- Heat Pump Dryer900 W typical
- Vacuum Cleaner1,000 W typical
- Robot Vacuum30 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz