Laundry & Cleaning
An 800 watt washing machine costs about $0.14 to run for 1 hour at $0.18 per kWh.
Quick estimate
This uses 800 watts, 1 hours per day, and an electricity rate of $0.18 per kWh.
Washers use less electricity than dryers, especially when washing with cold water.
Many washing machine units fall around 800 watts, with a rough range of 400 to 1400 watts. Check the product label, user manual, or manufacturer specifications for the most accurate number.
| Estimate | Watts | Hours per day | Daily cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low estimate | 400W | 0.50 | $0.04 | $1.08 |
| Typical use | 800W | 1 | $0.14 | $4.32 |
| High estimate | 1400W | 1.50 | $0.38 | $11.34 |
A washing machine uses electricity for its motor, pump, and controls, but household water heating can be the larger energy cost for warm or hot washes. That water-heater energy is not always visible in the washer's own wattage.
Wattage input
Use the washer's input rating for machine electricity. If you want the full cost of a hot wash, estimate the separate water-heating energy as well rather than inflating the washer wattage.
Runtime input
Estimate loads per week and average cycle length. Peak-rated watts for the whole cycle will be conservative because agitation, spinning, filling, and pauses draw different amounts.
Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by the number of hours used, then multiply by your electricity rate.
Cost = Watts / 1000 x Hours Used x Electricity RateFor this washing machine example: 800 / 1000 x 1 x 0.18 = $0.14 per day.
These details make this estimate more useful for real-world use.
The washer motor usually uses far less energy than heating water. If hot water is supplied by an electric water heater, warm or hot cycles can shift much of the real cost to water heating rather than the washing machine alone.
A faster final spin can remove more water from clothes before they go into the dryer. That may not change washer electricity much, but it can reduce dryer runtime, which is often the more expensive part of laundry.
Wash full loads with cold water whenever fabric care allows.
The easiest way to improve the estimate is to replace the default values with your actual wattage, average runtime, and local electricity rate.
Wattage ranges are practical planning estimates for common household appliances. Actual use can differ by model, age, settings, room conditions, and maintenance.
These authoritative sources support the calculation method, default electricity-rate benchmark, and appliance-specific operating context. The wattage range remains a planning estimate; use the nameplate on your own appliance for the most accurate input.
Used to benchmark the rounded default residential electricity rate. Your utility bill remains the best source for your own rate.
Supports the watts-to-kWh calculation method and the recommendation to check the appliance nameplate or use a power meter.
Provides efficiency and energy-use context for residential clothes washers.
Only if the washer heats water internally and that load is included in its measured draw. For machines supplied by a household water heater, the water-heating cost should be calculated separately.
An 800 watt washing machine costs about $0.14 to run for 1 hour at $0.18 per kWh.
Use the wattage printed on the appliance label when possible. As a starting estimate, this page uses 800 watts and shows a common range of 400 to 1400 watts.
Electricity bills include many appliances, fees, taxes, seasonal changes, and utility rate structures. This calculator estimates appliance energy cost only.
Compare similar appliances in the same category.
Keep comparing by category or jump to another common household appliance.
These calculators help compare other appliances that often show up on home electricity bills.
Use these guides to understand the formula, wattage, rates, and ways to lower appliance costs.