How Much Electricity Does a Washing Machine Use?
How much electricity does a washing machine use? Usually 350 to 500 watts. Enter your wattage and rate below for the exact cost.
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Washing machine electricity cost calculator
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How the math works: 425 W × 1 hour ÷ 1,000 = 0.425 kWh. × $0.165 per kWh (the 2024 U.S. average) = $0.07 per one-hour load, before water heating.
A washing machine typically draws 350 to 500 watts, making it a fairly modest electricity user compared to appliances that generate heat. Most of a load's real cost usually comes from heating the water rather than running the machine itself.
What affects how much electricity a washing machine uses
- Spin cycle: spinning water out of clothes at high speed takes more motor power than agitating them.
- Washer type: modern high-efficiency front-loaders may run lower overall than older top-loaders.
- Water temperature: usually the biggest hidden cost. Washing warm or hot means paying to heat that water, which typically happens in a separate water heater.
How to reduce your washing machine's electricity use
- Wash on cold water when possible, since water heating is usually the bigger cost than the machine's own electricity draw
- Run full loads instead of several smaller ones
- Use the high-speed spin option to remove more water before drying, which shortens dryer runtime too
- Keep the machine level and balanced, since an unbalanced load makes the motor work harder during spin
Typical wattage figure: 350-500 W. Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. Modern high-efficiency front-loaders may run lower. Spin cycle draws more than the wash cycle. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026. Cedrick Reese built this washing machine cost calculator and rechecks the wattage figure against the source above.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a washing machine use?
A washing machine typically draws 350 to 500 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension, with the spin cycle drawing more than the wash cycle.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
A 425-watt washer run for one hour at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $0.07 per load, not counting water heating. Use the calculator above with your own washer's wattage and typical cycle length for the machine's own electricity cost.
Does washing on hot water cost a lot more than cold?
Yes, often significantly more. The washing machine's own motor draws a similar amount of electricity regardless of water temperature, but heating the water itself (typically done by a separate electric or gas water heater) is usually the larger cost on a warm or hot wash compared to a cold one.
How can I reduce how much electricity my washing machine uses?
Wash on cold water whenever the load allows it, since heating water is usually the bigger cost than running the machine. Running full loads instead of several partial ones and using a high-speed spin to remove more water before drying also help.
This page provides estimates for the washing machine's own electricity draw based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter, and does not include the separate cost of heating water on a warm or hot wash cycle.