How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
Work out what any appliance costs to run per use, per month and per year on your own electricity rate — including what it draws on standby. Rates for all 50 states.
Using the US average of 18.44¢/kWh — the U.S. Energy Information Administration, May 2026.
Almost all of it is heating the water, which is why a 30°C wash costs roughly half of a 60°C one.
Common cases
What drives the cost
Almost all of a wash cycle's electricity heats the water, not turns the drum. That single fact is why the temperature dial matters far more than the programme length: a 30°C wash costs roughly half a 60°C one, and a cold wash costs a fraction of either.
It is also why eco programmes are long. They compensate for a lower temperature by soaking for longer, trading time — which is free — for heat, which is not. A two-and-a-half hour eco cycle usually costs less than a one-hour cycle at a higher temperature, despite running for far longer.
How this is worked out
Electricity is billed per kilowatt hour. An appliance's kilowatt hours are its power in kilowatts multiplied by the hours it runs — so a 2,000 W appliance running for 30 minutes uses 1 kWh. Multiply that by your rate and you have the cost. The fixed monthly customer charge your utility adds is not included, because you pay it whether or not you switch anything on.
What this assumes
- The appliance draws its rated power for the whole time it is on. Anything thermostatically controlled — ovens, heaters, refrigerators, air conditioners — cycles on and off, so the real figure is lower.
- Your rate is flat all day. On a time-of-use plan the same appliance costs materially different amounts depending on when you run it, and peak rates can be several times the off-peak rate.
- State averages come from the EIA and blend every utility in that state. Your own utility may be meaningfully above or below it, so use your bill where you can.
- A year is 52 weeks of identical use, which overstates seasonal appliances and understates ones you use in bursts.
- The rate filled in for you is an average that spreads fixed charges across a year's usage, so it sits above what one extra unit really costs. Entering the unit rate from your own bill gives a closer answer.
Questions
Why does the eco cycle take longer but cost less?
Because it substitutes time for temperature. Heating water is the expensive part, so soaking clothes for longer at a lower temperature gets a similar result for less energy. The machine is on for longer but the element is doing far less work.
Does washing at 30°C actually get clothes clean?
For everyday laundry, yes — modern detergents are formulated for it. The usual exceptions are heavily soiled items, towels and bedding after illness, where a hotter wash is doing hygiene work rather than cleaning work.
Does this include the monthly service charge?
No, deliberately. The fixed customer charge is billed for being connected at all, so it does not change when you run an appliance more or less. Including it would make every appliance look more expensive than it is.
Why is the default rate different from what I pay?
The figure filled in is the EIA state average across all utilities in your state. Rates inside a single state can vary widely between a municipal utility and an investor-owned one, so your bill is always the better number.
Where do I find the wattage?
On the nameplate — usually a label on the back, base or inside the door — or in the manual. It is written as W or kW. If it only lists amps, multiply amps by 120 for a standard outlet, or 240 for a large appliance circuit.
Sources
- U.S. EIA — Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — checked 2026-08-21
- U.S. EIA — Frequently asked questions, electricity — checked 2026-08-21
Rates from U.S. EIA for May 2026. Last reviewed September 3, 2026.