How much does a washing machine cost to run in Washington?
$1.04 a month
- A day of use
- $0.06
- An hour of running
- $0.06
- A year
- $12.44
400 W, one 1-hour load, 4 days a week (motor only), at Washington’s average rate of 14.9¢ per kWh (EIA, June 2026). How we calculate this
Change the watts, hours or rate
What it costs at other usage levels
| Use | A day | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour a day typical | $0.06 | $1.04 | $12.44 |
| 2 hours a day | $0.12 | $2.07 | $24.88 |
| 4 hours a day | $0.24 | $4.15 | $49.76 |
| 8 hours a day | $0.48 | $8.29 | $99.51 |
| 24 hours a day | $1.43 | $24.88 | $298.54 |
Models range from 300 W to 500 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 400 W, the middle of that range.
Washington compared with other states
Washington’s residential rate is the 13th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−19%). Washington’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (13.0¢, +15.0%).
Ways to spend less
- Wash in cold water; heating the water uses far more energy than the motor, and it is billed on your water heater.
- Wash full loads. Saves about $0.26 a month.
- Use the high-spin setting so clothes need less time in the dryer.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a washing machine per hour?
About $0.06 an hour in Washington. A washing machine at 400 W uses 0.400 kWh per hour, and at Washington’s average of 14.9¢ per kWh that comes to $0.06.
How much does a washing machine add to your electric bill?
Used one 1-hour load, 4 days a week (motor only), about $1.04 a month in Washington, or $12.44 a year.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine 24 hours a day?
Running nonstop, a washing machine would use 9.60 kWh a day and cost $1.43 a day, or $43.54 over an average month in Washington.
How many watts does a washing machine use?
Models range from 300 W to 500 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 400 W, the middle of that range. Check the label on yours: cost scales directly with watts, so a 20% lower wattage means a 20% lower bill.
Why does a washing machine cost more or less to run in Washington than elsewhere?
Washington’s residential rate is the 13th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−19%). Washington’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (13.0¢, +15.0%). The appliance uses the same energy everywhere; only the price per kWh changes.
Sources
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use (reproduces U.S. Department of Energy sample wattages)
- Penn State EGEE 102: Typical range of power consumption (wattage)
- Southern California Edison: Appliance energy use
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: average price of electricity to ultimate customers, residential, June 2026 Figures transcribed from republications of this table on September 26, 2026; pending direct verification from the EIA API.
- Carrier page: June 2026 residential average price, citing EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A
Usage assumptions (hours a day, season) are ours and listed on the methodology page. Found an error? Tell us.