Washing-machine electricity cost calculator
Estimate washing-machine electricity cost per month and year from cycle duration, power, load frequency, and your tariff.
Worked calculation
A complete washing machine example
0.500 kW is multiplied by scheduled time and the 55% active-runtime assumption. The inputs are examples, not claims about every device. Replace each one with the label, meter reading, schedule, and tariff that apply to you.
Monthly cost = average active kW × cycle hours × weekly cycles × 52 ÷ 12 × tariff500 W · 1.25 hours/day · 4 days/week · 55% active
- Monthly energy
- 6.0 kWh
- Monthly cost
- US$1.07
- Annual cost
- US$12.87
Transparent method
The calculation
Monthly cost = average active kW × cycle hours × weekly cycles × 52 ÷ 12 × tariffA washing cycle contains heating, motor, pump, and idle stages. Use a meter or the programme's stated kWh per cycle when available; otherwise model average active power conservatively.
Read the full methodology →Sensitivity check
Run three scenarios.
Cold washUse lower average active power when water heating is avoided.
Eco programmeLonger duration can still use less energy.
Hot intensive cycleTest higher active power and a longer heating stage.
Use the result well
What can change the answer?
- Rated heater power is not the cycle's average power.
- Water heating usually dominates electricity use.
- Drying, if built in, should be modelled separately.
Calculation standards
Visible inputs. Reproducible results.
WhoPowerCost Lab's research desk maintains the formulas, market notes, and worked examples.
HowEnergy, tariff, and behavioural assumptions stay separate so readers can replace one input without hiding the others.
WhyThe page exists to answer an operating-cost decision. Advertising never changes a formula, default, or recommendation.