This calculator uses the average watt rating (100 Watts) for a Washing Machine. You can input your Washing Machine’s details to calculate the exact usage and cost of your device.
Enter how many hours per day you estimate you run your Washing Machine. If it is less than one hour use a decimal. For example, 30 minutes would be .5 and 15 minutes would be .25.
Input the wattage of your Washing Machine. If you are unsure enter the average wattage for a Washing Machine: 850.
Enter the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) you pay for electricity. If you are unsure you can use the average rate per kWh in the US (10 cents) or find the the kWh rate in your area here.
Laundry appliances have come a long way since washboards became popular in the 19th century. The modern-day washing machine saves families countless hours of time and effort. While they require less elbow grease than vintage models, they use more energy in the form of electricity.
The more energy your washer consumes, the more it costs per load. Calculating your washer's wattage will help you determine its impact on your energy bill. This guide will explain the average washing machine's power consumption and strategies to help you lower your electricity costs.
The average washing machine uses 400 to 1300 watts of energy per hour. The exact wattage depends on the brand of your washing machine and the load cycle that you use. ENERGY STAR® certified washing machines use about 25% less power than a regular washer.
A washing machine uses about 90% of the energy to heat the water as it enters the tub. While load times will vary depending on the device and cycle that you're using, the average wash cycle takes 50-60 minutes to complete. If you're like most families, you'll wash about 300 loads of laundry per year. Over time that adds up to a significant amount of electricity.
Once you've collected the necessary information, estimating your washing machine's energy consumption is a relatively simple process.
First, you need to know your washing machine wattage. You can find the wattage of your exact machine by checking the label, product manual or manufacturer's website. You also need to estimate the number of times you use the washer every year. For example, if you wash five loads per week, you can multiply five loads by 52 weeks, which equals 260 loads per year.
If you want a precise estimate, check how long your washer takes to wash one load, or you can use the average — 55 minutes. Then, you can begin the calculation.
Here's how to find the energy consumption per year, using an 850-watt washer as an example:
In this example, washing 300 loads per year with an 850-watt washer consumes 231,000 watts of electricity.
Make sure you substitute your wattage, cycle time and loads per year to calculate your washing machine's power consumption.
Once you've estimated how many watts your washer uses, you can calculate the cost in a few easy steps. Check a recent electricity bill to find the price of electricity. Most providers charge by the kilowatt-hour (kWh). The average cost of electricity in the U.S. is 10.54 cents per kWh.
Then you simply translate the number of watts to kilowatt-hours so you can add up the total cost. There are 1000 watts per kilowatt-hour, so you do the following calculation:
If you're in the market for a new washer, the latest energy-efficient technology can help you save significantly on your electricity bills. Here are the most energy-saving washing machines of 2021:
The LG WM9500H*A has a 5.8 cubic foot tub capacity so that you can wash more clothes in fewer loads. The front-load configuration will make it easy to transfer your clothes to the dryer without straining your back. It uses only 120 kWh of energy per year to help you cut your electricity costs. The integrated modified energy factor (IMEF) is 3.1, which means this washing machine is highly energy efficient.
You can keep your annual energy usage to a minimum with the Electrolux EFLW427****. It uses only 60 kWh of electricity per year, with an IMEF of 2.92. The front-load washer has a 4.3 cubic foot tub capacity that fits into smaller spaces. This washing machine is half the price of other energy-efficient washers with the same cost-reducing technology.
The budget-friendly Samsung WF45T60**A* combines energy efficiency and convenience into one. This washer uses only 90 kWh of energy per year, consuming a fraction of the electricity compared to a traditional washer. Complete with a 4.5 cubic foot front loading tub, this washing machine earns an IMEF of 2.95.
Washers and dryers use a lot of electricity every year. Try these money-saving tips to optimize your washing machine usage:
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