Quick answer: A cold wash uses about 0.3 kWh, roughly $0.05 per load at the US average rate of 18.2¢ per kWh. With an electric water heater, a warm wash can use around 1.2 kWh ($0.22) and a hot wash around 2.2 kWh ($0.40), because heating the water is most of the cost.
The motor that turns the drum uses surprisingly little electricity. What you really pay for is hot water, which is why the temperature setting matters far more than the machine.
Washing machine cost per load
| Wash | Energy per load | US per load | US per month (25 loads) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold wash | 0.30 kWh | $0.05 | $1.37 |
| Warm wash (electric water heater) | 1.2 kWh | $0.22 | $5.46 |
| Hot wash (electric water heater) | 2.2 kWh | $0.40 | $10.01 |
About 25 loads a month is close to the roughly 300 loads a year that US efficiency tests assume for a household.
Why the temperature matters so much
Most US washers take water from the household hot supply for warm and hot cycles. Heating a few gallons of water by 60 to 80°F takes far more energy than spinning the drum. If your water heater runs on gas, the motor’s electricity is all that appears on your electric bill and the rest shows up on your gas bill.
Calculate your own washer
Set the watts to your load’s energy in watt-hours (for example 300 for 0.3 kWh), 1 hour, and the number of loads a month as days.
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How to wash for less
- Wash in cold water. Modern detergents are designed for it, and it cuts the energy per load the most.
- Run full loads, or use the small-load setting so less water is heated.
- Choose the highest spin speed the fabric allows. Drier clothes need less time in the dryer, which uses far more energy than the washer.
- Use eco programs where available.
- Consider an ENERGY STAR model when you replace your washer: they use less water, and so less hot water.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a washing machine use?
The motor typically draws 300 to 500 W while washing and more during the spin. Machines with their own internal heater, common in the UK and Europe, draw around 2,000 W while heating.
Is it cheaper to do laundry at night?
Only if your plan charges less at night, such as a time-of-use rate. On a flat rate the cost per load is the same at any hour.
A real example: switching to cold washes
A household doing six loads a week uses about 686 kWh a year if every wash is hot (about 2.2 kWh with an electric water heater): roughly $124.92 in the US. Washing the same loads cold uses about 94 kWh, roughly $17.04. Most everyday laundry comes out just as clean with modern cold-water detergents.
In the UK, where most washing machines heat their own water, the same idea applies: a 30°C wash uses much less energy than a 60°C wash. Keep hot washes for towels, bedding and items that need disinfecting.
Other ways to cut the cost per load
- Wait for a full load: half loads use more than half the energy.
- Use the highest spin speed the fabric allows, so clothes need less time in the dryer.
- Choose eco programmes. They run longer but heat less water and use less energy.
- Clean the filter and run a maintenance wash now and then so the machine works efficiently.
More questions readers ask
Does a front-loader use less energy than a top-loader?
Usually yes. Front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders use much less water, so there is less water to heat.
Does a quick wash save money?
A quick wash at a low temperature uses little energy, but it is designed for lightly soiled loads. Using it for heavily soiled clothes can mean washing twice.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR guidance on clothes washers.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook.
- Our methodology.