How much does a washing machine cost to run?
At the current price cap, a washing machine costs about 23.7p per 40°C wash, or around £49.41 a year with typical use.
Washing machine (40°C)
- An hour
- 15.8p
- A day used
- 23.7p
- A week
- 94.8p
- A month
- £4.12
- Energy a year
- 188 kWh
600 W for 1.5 hours a day, 4 days a week, at 26.32p per kWh.
Excludes the daily standing charge, which you pay whatever you use.
How it compares
Yearly cost with typical use, at your unit rate.
Washing machine running costs
At 26.32p per kWh, with typical use of 1.5 hours a day, 4 days a week.
| Period | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per 40°C wash | 0.9 kWh | 23.7p |
| Per hour in use | 0.6 kWh | 15.8p |
| Per week | 3.6 kWh | 94.8p |
| Per month | 15.6 kWh | £4.12 |
| Per year | 188 kWh | £49.41 |
How the cost varies
Cool 20–30°C washes to hot 60°C washes, per load.
| Energy use | Per 40°C wash | Per year (typical use) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | 7.9p | £16.47 |
| Typical | 23.7p | £49.41 |
| Higher | 36.8p | £76.85 |
Laundry appliances compared
Yearly cost with typical use, at 26.32p per kWh.
| Appliance | Per hour | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Tumble dryer (vented) | 63.2p | £148.22 |
| Dehumidifier (compressor) | 5.3p | £115.28 |
| Tumble dryer (heat pump) | 18.4p | £72.05 |
| Washing machine (40°C) (this page) | 15.8p | £49.41 |
| Heated clothes airer | 7.9p | £49.41 |
| Iron | 63.2p | £16.47 |
Ways to spend less
- Most of the energy goes on heating the water. Washing at 30°C instead of 40°C cuts the cost noticeably.
- Wash full loads, but don’t overfill.
- A faster spin costs a little more but leaves clothes drier, which saves a lot if you then use a tumble dryer.
How we calculate this
We take a typical washing machine at 600 watts (an average, as it switches on and off while running), used 1.5 hours a day, 4 days a week, and multiply the energy it uses by the Ofgem price cap unit rate of 26.32p per kWh.
One 40°C wash uses about 0.9 kWh. Use the calculator above with your own appliance’s power and how you use it for a closer figure.
Questions people ask
How much does a washing machine cost to run a year?
With typical use (1.5 hours a day, 4 days a week), about £49.41 a year at the current price cap, or £4.12 a month.
How much does a load of washing cost?
A 40°C wash uses about 0.9 kWh. A 30°C wash uses less, and a 60°C wash uses noticeably more.
Is it cheaper to wash at night?
Only if you have a time-of-use tariff like Economy 7 or a smart tariff with cheaper overnight rates.
Does this include the standing charge?
No. The standing charge (54.83p a day under the current cap, about £200.13 a year) is a fixed daily cost for being connected. It does not change with how much you use any appliance.
Related calculators
- Vented tumble dryer running costCosts per use and per year.
- Heat pump tumble dryer running costCosts per use and per year.
- Heated clothes airer running costCosts per use and per year.
- Dehumidifier running costCosts per use and per year.
- Appliance running cost calculatorCompare any appliance, at your own rate.
- Energy bill calculatorYour whole yearly bill at the price cap.