Washing Machine Running Cost Calculator
Estimate weekly, monthly, and annual washing machine electricity cost from wattage, cycle length, loads per week, and electricity rate.
W
hrs
$
/kWh
Estimated Cost
Weekly
$0.40
Monthly
$1.73
Annual
$20.80
How to Use the Washing Machine Running Cost Calculator
Enter your washing machine's wattage per cycle, the average length of a cycle, how many loads you run per week, and your electricity rate. The calculator multiplies these together to estimate your washing machine's weekly electricity cost, then scales it up to a monthly and annual figure.
Weekly Cost = (Wattage / 1000) × Cycle Hours × Loads per Week × Electricity Rate
Example
A 500W washing machine run for 1 hour per cycle, 5 loads a week, at $0.16 per kWh uses 2.5 kWh per week (0.5 × 1 × 5), costing about $0.40 per week, $1.73 per month, and $20.80 per year.
Common Use Cases
- Estimating the ongoing electricity cost of doing laundry at home.
- Comparing running costs between washing machine models or wash settings.
- Checking how reducing loads per week or cycle length affects your utility bill.
FAQs
- Where do I find my washing machine's wattage? Check the rating label on the machine itself (usually inside the door or on the back panel) or the manufacturer's spec sheet — it's often listed in watts or as amps and volts, which you can multiply together to get watts.
- Does this include hot water heating cost? No — this estimates only the washing machine's own electrical draw for the motor, pump, and controls. If you wash primarily on a hot or warm cycle, your water heater's energy use to heat that water is a separate cost not included here.
- Does cycle type affect wattage? Yes — heavy-duty, sanitize, or extended cycles typically draw more power over a longer time than a quick or delicate cycle. Use the wattage and cycle length for your typical, most-used setting for the most representative estimate.