Washing Machine Energy Usage

How Much Electricity Does a Washing Machine Use?

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.

How Many Watts Does a Washing Machine Use?

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.

Estimate Your Washing Machine's Energy Consumption

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:

1. Divide the number of watts by 60 to calculate watts per minute: 850 watts / 60 minutes = 14 watts
2. Multiply the watts per minute by the cycle time to determine watts per load: 14 watts x 55 minutes = 770 watts
3. Multiply the watts per load by the number of loads you wash per year: 770 watts x 300 loads per year = 231,000 watts per year

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.

How Much Does It Cost to Use a Washing Machine?

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:

• Divide the watts per year by 1000 to get kilowatt-hours: 231,000 watts per year / 1000 = 231 kilowatt-hours per year
• Multiply the kWh per year by the price per kWh: 231 kilowatt-hours per year x 10.54 cents = $24.35 per year

Best Energy-Efficient Washing Machines

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 2022. You can read the full washer shopping guide here.

Best Overall Compact Washer

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Best Overall Top Load Washer

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Best Overall Front Load Washer

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How to Optimize Your Washing Machine Usage

Washers and dryers use a lot of electricity every year. Try these money-saving tips to optimize your washing machine usage:

• Use cold water: Since 90% of the energy that your washing machine consumes goes to heating the water, washing your clothes on a cold cycle can reduce the cost per load significantly. Cold water is also more gentle on fabrics to help extend the life of your clothing. Unless you're washing sheets, towels or soiled garments, you should opt for the cold water cycle.
• Wash full loads: Your washer will use the same amount of energy per cycle, whether it's full or not. Running several small loads will consume more power than one large load. If you're going to run your washing machine, make sure that it's full so that you can clean more clothes in fewer loads.
• Check the clock: Some energy providers charge more for electricity during peak hours, depending on where you live. Paying a few extra cents per load can add up over time. Check your energy rates and try to wash your clothes during off-peak hours. Most utility companies lower their rates during the evenings.

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