How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine?

In the UK and Europe, washing machines usually heat their own water with a built-in element. Bosch's Series 6 WGG24400GB, for example, has a connection rating of 2,300 W.

The heater runs only until the water reaches the set temperature. The drum motor, pump and controls use much less. Averaged over a 40°C wash, a typical load comes to about 0.5 kWh.

That matches EU figures. New washing machines sold in 2020 used about 96 kWh a year over about 174 washes, roughly 0.55 kWh a wash, at an average temperature of 40°C. Bosch's A-class WGG24400GB is rated at 49 kWh per 100 cycles on its eco 40-60 programme.

At one load a day, 0.5 kWh adds up to about 15 kWh a month: £4.00 in the UK, €5.50 in Germany and €3.78 in France.

Heating water uses about 90% of the energy a washing machine needs, according to ENERGY STAR. The motor, pump and controls use the rest.

That's why temperature matters most. ENERGY STAR estimates that switching from hot to warm water can cut a wash's energy use in half, and a cold wash saves even more.

In the US and Canada, most washers take hot water from the home's water heater. The cost of a hot wash then shows up mostly on the water heater, gas or electric, rather than on the washer's own plug.

In South Asia and other warm countries, many households use top-loaders or semi-automatic twin-tubs that fill with cold water. Without heating, a wash uses only the motor's power, a small part of what a heated wash uses.

Front-loaders tumble clothes through a small amount of water, so they have less water to heat. ENERGY STAR says certified front-load washers use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator models, and about 25% less than top-load impeller models.

Overall, ENERGY STAR certified washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers.

In the UK and EU, the energy label shows kWh per 100 cycles on the eco 40-60 programme, which washes normally soiled cotton labelled for 40°C or 60°C. Divide it by 100 for the energy per load.

Eco programmes take longer, nearly 4 hours on some machines (3 h 48 min on the Bosch above), but they use less energy than a standard hot wash.

Temperature is the biggest factor. Washes at 60°C or 90°C, and sanitary or hygiene cycles, use far more energy than washes at 30–40°C.

A washer uses about the same energy whatever the load size, ENERGY STAR notes, so full loads cost less per item.

Drying usually costs far more than washing: a typical electric dryer load uses about 2.4 kWh, several times a wash. A faster final spin leaves less water in the clothes and shortens drying.

The rating plate shows the most the machine draws, while the heater is on. For the energy per load, divide the kWh per 100 cycles on the energy label by 100, or measure with a plug-in energy monitor.

• Wash everyday loads at 30°C or cold, and save hot washes for towels, bedding and heavy soiling.
• Run full loads: a washer uses about the same energy whatever the load size.
• Use the eco 40-60 programme when you're not in a hurry.
• If you'll tumble-dry, choose the fastest spin your clothes can take.
• Skip the sanitary or hygiene cycle unless you really need it.
• On a time-of-use tariff, use the delay timer to wash in off-peak hours.

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