Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026
How much does a washing machine cost to run?
About $1.68 a month
for a typical washing machine in No match. Pick "Another country" to type your own price. , at 18.31 cents per kWh.
Type your electricity price to see the cost.
- Uses
- 0.30 kWh a day
- Draws while running
- 500–1,000 W
- Needs at start-up
- about 2,300 W
Here's the surprise with washing machines: the motor barely matters. Heating water is what costs money, so a cold wash on a modern machine costs far less than a hot one. A typical certified washer is rated at about 110 kWh a year.
Machines sold in the UK and Europe usually heat their own water with a built-in heater, so they draw much more than these figures while heating. Most North American machines take hot water from the home's water heater instead.
Work out your own washing machine
Typical use: 110 kWh a year
You'll find it on the appliance's energy label.
What it costs in other countries
For a typical washing machine, at each country's official average electricity price.
| Country | Price per kWh | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18.31 cents | $1.68 | $20 |
| United Kingdom | 26.32 pence | £2.41 | £29 |
| Germany | 36.18 cents | €3.32 | €40 |
| Ireland | 38.71 cents | €3.55 | €43 |
| France | 24.85 cents | €2.28 | €27 |
| Spain | 25.09 cents | €2.30 | €28 |
| Italy | 31.42 cents | €2.88 | €35 |
| Netherlands | 24.40 cents | €2.24 | €27 |
Prices from the U.S. EIA, Ofgem and Eurostat; see Sources below. To see another country, pick it at the top of the page; we cover 51.
How to cut the cost of running your washing machine
-
Wash at a lower temperature
Heating the water is what costs the most, so a cold or 30 °C wash uses far less than a hot one.
-
Wait for a full load
Fewer washes a year means less water to heat and less motor time.
-
Use a faster spin if you tumble dry
Clothes come out drier, so the dryer has less work to do.
What can power it
To run a washing machine from a generator or a portable power station, check two numbers. It must supply the running power, about 500–1,000 W, all the time. It must also handle about 2,300 W for a moment each time it starts.
Common questions
How much electricity does a washing machine use per year?
A typical ENERGY STAR washer is rated at about 110 kWh a year, and most fall between 75 and 165 kWh, across 413 certified models.
How many watts does a washing machine use?
Champion's generator wattage chart lists 500–1,000 W while running and 1,000–2,300 W for a moment when the motor starts. Machines that heat their own water, common in the UK and Europe, draw much more while heating.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine per day?
About $0.06 a day in the United States, at the average price of 18.31 cents per kWh, or about £0.08 a day in the UK at 26.32 pence, for a typical washing machine. That adds up to about $20 or £29 a year.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Clothes Washers data set (U.S. EPA), 413 models, fetched 15 October 2026
- Champion Power Equipment, generator wattage chart
- Eurostat, Electricity prices for household consumers (nrg_pc_204): consumption band 2,500–4,999 kWh, all taxes and levies included, January–June 2026 (updated 13 October 2026)
- Ofgem energy price cap: average Direct Debit electricity unit rate, England, Scotland and Wales, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity Monthly Update: average residential price, July 2026 (released 24 September 2026)
Last checked 15 October 2026. How we get our numbers.