How much does a washing machine cost to run?
A washing machine typically draws around 500 W while running. Ratings vary widely between models, so check the label and change the figure below.
per kWh
W
g CO2 per kWh
Cost per year
53.45
- Cost per month
- 4.45
- Cost per day
- 0.15
- Cost per hour of use
- 0.14
- Energy per year
- 190.9 kWh
- Energy per day
- 0.5230 kWh
- Carbon dioxide per year
- 47.7
- Annual cost of standby alone
- 2.35
Show the working
- Power = 500
- Hours per day = 1
- Days per year in use = 365
- Electricity price = 0.28
- Standby power = 1
- Grid carbon intensity = 250
- kw = 500 / 1000 = 0.5
- daily_kwh = 0.5 * 1 = 0.5
- standby_kwh = 1 / 1000 * (24 - 1) = 0.023
- Energy per day = 0.5 + 0.023 = 0.523
- Energy per year = 0.523 * 365 = 190.895
- Cost per day = 0.523 * 0.28 = 0.146 44
- Cost per year = 190.895 * 0.28 = 53.4506
- Cost per month = 53.4506 / 12 = 4.454 22
- Cost per hour of use = 0.5 * 0.28 = 0.14
- Carbon dioxide per year = 190.895 * 250 / 1000 = 47.7238
- Annual cost of standby alone = 0.023 * 365 * 0.28 = 2.3506
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
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The formula
- daily energy = power in kW x hours
- annual cost = daily energy x days x price per kWh
Nameplate wattage is the maximum draw, not the average. A cycling appliance like a fridge or a freezer averages far less.
Standby draw is small per device and adds up across a house: ten devices at 2 W each is 175 kWh a year.
Running cost of a washing machine at different tariffs
| Price per kWh | Per hour | Per year at 1 h/day |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | 0.0500 | 18.25 |
| 0.15 | 0.0750 | 27.38 |
| 0.20 | 0.1000 | 36.50 |
| 0.25 | 0.1250 | 45.63 |
| 0.30 | 0.1500 | 54.75 |
| 0.40 | 0.2000 | 73.00 |
Frequently asked
How many watts does a washing machine use?
Typically around 500 W while running, though models vary. Check the rating plate.
How much electricity does it use per day?
About 0.50 kWh at 1 hours of use.
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