Is an Efficient Washing Machine Worth It? Savings and Payback (2026)
With electricity at 18.3¢ per kWh in the US, the saving is too small to justify the purchase: 34.4 years to pay back if you replace a working washing machine, and 8.6 years for the extra cost of the efficient model when you are replacing anyway.
An efficient washing machine cuts electricity by 48%: about 95 kWh, worth $17.42 a year in the US. Not for the electricity
- From
- Class G washer, about 90 kWh per 100 cycles, about 200 kWh a year
- To
- Class A washer, about 47 kWh per 100 cycles, about 105 kWh a year
- Usage
- 220 cycles a year
| Scenario | You pay | Payback | Net over its life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace a working washing machine now | $600.00 | 34.4 years | −$408.35 |
| Replacing anyway: choose the efficient one | $150.00 | 8.6 years | $41.65 |
Prices are typical figures; type your own quotes above. Net over its life is the total saving over the years it lasts minus what you pay. It ignores inflation, interest and changes in electricity prices, which is conservative while prices are rising.
Our take
Rarely worth replacing a working machine for electricity alone. The bigger lever is washing at 30 C, which cuts any machine's consumption by more than the label class does.
How the two models compare
| Inefficient | Efficient | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Class G washer, about 90 kWh per 100 cycles | Class A washer, about 47 kWh per 100 cycles |
| Electricity per year | 200 kWh | 105 kWh |
| Cost per year here | $36.68 | $19.26 |
| Over 11 years | $403.48 | $211.83 |
Usage behind these figures: 220 cycles a year. Basis: EU 2021 energy label thresholds for washing machines, eco 40-60 programme, at 220 cycles a year. The Washing Machine page prices the appliance at its own typical hours, which you can change there.
The same upgrade in other countries
| Country | Saving per year | Payback, replacing now | Payback, replacing anyway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | $17.42 | 34.4 years | 8.6 years | Not for the electricity |
| United Kingdom | £25.00 | 24.0 years | 6.0 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Germany | €35.15 | 17.1 years | 4.3 years | Worth it when replacing |
| France | €19.01 | 31.6 years | 7.9 years | Not for the electricity |
| Australia | A$33.25 | 18.0 years | 4.5 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Canada (average) | C$13.30 | 45.1 years | 11.3 years | Not for the electricity |
Local electricity prices, with the same purchase price read in local currency, which is a simplification. The saving column is what matters: the higher the price of electricity, the faster any upgrade pays back.
Other upgrades in the US, fastest payback first
- LED Light Bulbsaves $17.24 a year · worth it now
- Dehumidifiersaves $99.04 a year · worth it now
- Electric Water Heatersaves $562.30 a year · worth it when replacing
- Pool Pumpsaves $257.49 a year · worth it when replacing
- Wi-Fi Routersaves $19.26 a year · worth it when replacing
- Electric Sauna Heatersaves $311.23 a year · not for the electricity
- Chest Freezersaves $56.85 a year · worth it when replacing
- Hot Tubsaves $468.59 a year · not for the electricity
- Clothes Dryersaves $82.53 a year · worth it when replacing
- Air Conditionersaves $45.85 a year · worth it when replacing
- Refrigeratorsaves $78.86 a year · worth it when replacing
- Desktop Computersaves $56.30 a year · not for the electricity
- Space Heatersaves $165.06 a year · not for the electricity
- Electric Stovesaves $26.78 a year · not for the electricity
- Dishwashersaves $25.68 a year · not for the electricity
- Televisionsaves $13.39 a year · not for the electricity