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How Much Electricity Does a Washing Machine Use?
4 minute read • Last update January 2025
It’s hard to imagine modern life without a washing machine. Have you ever stopped to wonder how much electricity they use?
Whether you’re trying to lower your electricity bills or simply curious about your household’s energy consumption, this quick guide will tell you everything you need to know, including:
- The average washing machine wattage
- How the wattage of your washing machine translates to energy usage
- How much it costs to run a typical washing machine
We’ll also outline the additional factors that can affect overall efficiency outside of washer wattage and provide some practical tips for cutting your electricity costs.
Do washing machines use a lot of electricity?
Some do and some don’t. So, unfortunately, there’s no black-and-white answer to the question, “How much power does a washing machine use?” because power consumption will vary based on machine type, model, power rating, and what settings you use.
That said, the average washing machine uses between 400 and 1,400 watts per hour. While this may seem a lot, most washing machines are more energy efficient than many other household appliances. For context, here’s how the average washer wattage stacks up compared to other commonly used items:
- LED light bulbs: 9–12 watts
- Refrigerators: 150–300 watts
- Coffee machine 900–1,200 watts
- Microwave: 600–1,700 watts
- Dishwasher: 1,200–2,400 watts
- Tumble dryer: 1,800–5,000 watts
- Convection oven: Between 2,000–5,000 watts
- Air conditioner: Up to 8,000
As with all these home appliances, your clothes washer wattage relates directly to your energy costs. But, before you can estimate how much washing clothes costs in dollar terms, we must learn more about watts, kilowatt hours, and how to calculate your electricity usage.
How many watts does a washing machine use
Like all other electrical appliances, the actual power consumption of your washing machine is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). But how much energy does a washing machine use per cycle? How many watts does a washing machine use in a week, month, or year? First, you need to calculate the total kilowatt-hours. Here’s how to do it:
- Check the washing machine or reference the user manual to determine the wattage
- Multiply the wattage by the number of hours you use it for and divide by 1,000 to convert washer watts to kWh. For example, a 1,200-watt machine used for one hour per day would use 1,200 watts. So, the calculation would be 1,200 ÷ 1,000 = 1.2 kWh.
How much electricity does a washing machine use per month?
Again, there’s no straightforward answer because that all depends on how often you need to run a wash cycle. But how much energy does a washing machine use in an average home? Let’s run some numbers to find out.
The table below shows how kWh consumption varies by wattage range and usage frequency, helping you estimate your washing machine’s monthly kWh usage.
| Machine Wattage | Cycle Length per single load | Loads per Month | kWh per Month |
| 400 | 60 mins | 5 | 2 |
| 10 | 4 | ||
| 15 | 6 | ||
| 20 | 8 | ||
| 600 | 60 mins | 5 | 3 |
| 10 | 6 | ||
| 15 | 9 | ||
| 20 | 12 | ||
| 800 | 60 mins | 5 | 4 |
| 10 | 8 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| 20 | 16 | ||
| 1000 | 60 mins | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| 20 | 20 | ||
| 1200 | 60 mins | 5 | 6 |
| 10 | 12 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| 20 | 24 | ||
| 1400 | 60 mins | 5 | 7 |
| 10 | 14 | ||
| 15 | 21 | ||
| 20 | 28 |
How much does it cost to power your washing machine?
Estimating the direct cost of running your washing machine requires only one basic calculation. All you need to do is multiply the relevant kWh total by the kWh rate shown in the energy usage breakdown section of your electricity bill. The average price per kWh in Texas in April 2024 was 15 cents. So, for example, for a 1000-watt machine running 15 times per month, we can estimate the following:
Monthly use = 15 kWh x 0.15c = $2.25
Annual use = $2.25 x 12 = $27
As you can see, the cost of running frequent loads is relatively low. Other appliances probably use a lot more power, even though they use less energy. For example, the average microwave is only about 1200 watts. However, you’re likely to use it multiple times a day, resulting in a higher kWh cost overall.
Factors influencing washing machine power consumption
The total cost of running your washing machine depends on a combination of factors, not just wattage alone. Here are a few examples:
- Load size: Larger machines with a higher load capacity use more energy
- Wash cycle selection: Longer cycles and programs that utilize additional features (like pre-soak, steam cleaning, or combined washer/dryer use) typically consume much more energy
- Water temperature: Water heating consumes energy, so hot water cycles use more power than cold water loads
- Machine type: Front-loading machines typically use less energy than top-loading models as they use less water
- Energy efficiency rating: ENERGY STAR appliances use less electricity than non-certified models
- Age: As with other household appliances, washing machines will naturally lose efficiency as they age
Considering all these variables will help you better estimate your washing machine’s energy usage and overall efficiency.
Tips to cut your laundry’s energy costs
Here’s a list of practical ways you can save money on your laundry cycles while still ensuring plenty of clean clothes for your family:
- Use short or cold water cycles whenever possible
- Wait until you have a large load rather than running for just a few items
- Never exceed the full load capacity of your machine
- Maintain your machine regularly as per the manufacturer’s instructions
- Upgrade to one of ENERGY STAR’s recommended energy-efficient models
- If your electricity plan has varying energy prices, wait until off-peak hours to run your machine
Implementing these tips will help you increase efficiency without sacrificing cleanliness or convenience.
Save on electricity plans with BKVE
Looking for more ways to improve efficiency and save on energy costs at home? It might be time to switch to a better utility plan.
At BKVE, we believe in fair, gimmick-free electricity prices. Our straightforward plans have already helped many Texans save hundreds of dollars annually.
Take control of your energy costs today—explore our Bluebonnet plan or compare rates to find your family’s perfect option.
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