Quick answer: A typical 500W washing machine costs about £0.12 per cycle to run in the UK (at 24.5p/kWh) or $0.09 per cycle in the US (at 17c/kWh) – but a machine that heats its own water can use 2000W+ and cost 4-8x more per cycle. Use the calculator below with your own machine’s wattage and cycle length for an exact figure.
Washing Machine Running Cost Calculator
Cold-fill machines: 400-800W. Machines that heat their own water: 1500-2500W.
Auto-filled with a typical average – edit to match your own tariff
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine?
The running cost of a washing machine depends on three things: its wattage, how long each cycle runs for, and your electricity rate. The formula is simple:
Cost = (Wattage / 1000) × Hours Per Cycle × Electricity Rate per kWh
Most of a washing machine’s electricity use isn’t the drum motor spinning – it’s the internal heating element warming cold tap water to your chosen wash temperature. A cold-fill machine (common in the US, where washers connect to a hot water line) draws far less power than a UK-style machine that heats water internally from a cold feed. That’s why wattage varies so widely between 400W and 2500W depending on the model and wash temperature.
Washing Machine Cost by Cycle Type (UK & US)
| Cycle Type | Typical Wattage | Cost/Cycle (UK, 24.5p) | Cost/Cycle (US, 17c) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wash (30°C, cold-fill) | 400-600W | £0.08 | $0.06 |
| Eco/Everyday (40°C) | 700-1000W | £0.17 | $0.12 |
| Standard Cotton (60°C) | 1500-2000W | £0.37 | $0.26 |
| Hot Wash / Sanitize (90°C) | 2000-2500W | £0.49 | $0.34 |
Figures assume a 60-minute cycle at full draw. Real machines cycle the heating element on and off, so actual cost is usually 20-30% lower than these ceiling figures – use the calculator above with your machine’s rated wattage for a closer estimate.
Worked Example: A Family Doing 5 Loads a Week
Say you run a 1000W machine on a 40°C eco cycle for 60 minutes, 5 times a week, paying 24.5p/kWh (UK average):
- Cost per cycle = (1000/1000) × 1 × 0.245 = £0.245
- Cost per week = £0.245 × 5 = £1.23
- Cost per month = £1.23 × 4.33 ≈ £5.31
- Cost per year = £1.23 × 52 ≈ £63.70
Switch that same family to a 60°C cotton cycle at 1800W and the annual cost roughly triples to over £190 – which is why washing at a lower temperature is one of the cheapest ways to cut a laundry bill.
5 Ways to Cut Your Washing Machine Bill
- Wash at 30-40°C instead of 60°C – modern detergents work well at lower temperatures and this alone can cut energy use by 50-60%.
- Always run full loads – a half-empty drum uses almost the same electricity and water as a full one, so fewer, fuller loads save the most.
- Use the eco or quick-wash setting – eco cycles run longer but at a much lower heating element draw, often costing less overall.
- Spin at a higher RPM – a higher spin speed removes more water, cutting tumble dryer time (and cost) afterwards.
- Descale regularly – limescale buildup on the heating element makes it work harder and less efficiently to reach the same temperature.
FAQs
Does a washing machine use a lot of electricity?
Not as much as major appliances like an oven or tumble dryer, but more than people expect – mainly because of the internal water heater, not the motor. A hot 60°C wash can use as much electricity as running a 2000W heater for close to an hour.
Is it cheaper to wash clothes in cold water?
Yes, significantly. Heating water accounts for the large majority of a washing machine’s electricity draw, so a cold or 30°C wash can cost a third or less of a 60°C hot wash for the same load.
How many watts does a washing machine use?
Most washing machines draw 400-2500W depending on the model and wash temperature – low wattage (400-800W) for cold-fill or cool washes, and up to 2000-2500W when the internal heater is warming water for a hot cycle.
Does a bigger drum cost more to run per load?
A larger drum machine typically has a slightly higher-wattage motor and heater, but because it washes more clothes per cycle, the cost per garment is usually lower than running a small machine more often.
How do I find my washing machine’s wattage?
Check the rating label (usually inside the door or on the back panel) or the manufacturer’s spec sheet – it lists the maximum power draw in watts. If only amps and volts are listed, multiply them together to estimate watts.
Does tumble drying cost more than washing?
Yes, usually by a wide margin. A tumble dryer runs a high-wattage heating element for the entire cycle with no cold-water option, so it typically costs 3-5x more per use than a washing machine cycle – see our Tumble Dryer Running Cost Calculator for a direct comparison.