How Much Does a Load of Laundry Cost in Electricity?

TL;DR: The cost of running a load of laundry at home varies. Factors like appliance type, load size, cycle duration, and energy efficiency affect costs. Here’s how to reduce your laundry expenses:

• Water Temperature – Hot water cycles consume more energy; opt for warm or cold washes.
• Washer Type – High-efficiency washers use less electricity and water than standard models.
• ENERGY STAR Machines – Certified washers save 25% more energy.
• Load Size & Frequency – Larger loads are more efficient; avoid frequent small loads.
• Cycle Duration – Shorter cycles reduce electricity consumption.
• Dryer Efficiency – Gas dryers may be cheaper; sensor dryers stop when clothes are dry.
• Electricity Rates – Compare energy providers for better rates.

Optimize your laundry habits to save energy and money!

At last, laundry liberation! You’ve invested in an in-unit washer and dry, eliminating weekly trips to the laundromat! Now you no longer have to pay every single time you run a load of laundry… right?

Not quite. Have you considered how much a load of laundry costs in electricity?

Home appliances, like washers and dryers, contribute a great deal to your monthly energy bill. If the budget is tight, cutting down on usage can help you pinch a few pennies. However, there may be more effective ways to cut corners than by switching to an old-fashioned washboard.

Keep reading to learn how much one load of laundry costs at home. Plus, learn tips for how to make your laundry routine more energy efficient.

A lot of energy expenses come down to temperature. Consider that some of the largest consumers of energy in a home are air conditioners and heating systems.

Any appliance that heats or cools consistently, from water pumps to washing machines, is power-hungry. According to ENERGY STAR, just heating the water counts for up to 90% of your washing machine’s energy use! Luckily, the need for a hot cycle is rare. Even so, anything other than a purely cold water cycle requires additional electricity.

Factors other than water temperature contribute to the average cost of a load of laundry. We’ll discuss other factors below.

There are two broad categories of washing machines. Standard washers use an internal agitator. High-efficiency washers do not. Instead, they may use a mechanism known as an impeller.

An agitator is a physical mechanism that moves back and forth to help dislodge dirt during the wash cycle. They’re more common in traditional top-loading washing machines. They can be helpful when washing heavily soiled or dirty clothing or linens. However, an agitator may not be necessary to clean a standard load of laundry.

In contrast, an impeller spins rapidly to create a water current during the wash cycle. It’s gentler and requires less water. Some even believe it lengthens the lifespan of your clothing. Most importantly, high-efficiency machines use less electricity to get the job done.

Some washing machines have an ENERGY STAR certification from the government. These washing machines consume about 25% less energy and 33% less water than non-certified models. The more efficient the machine, the less it costs to wash a load of laundry.

An ENERGY STAR machine can also reduce how much a load of laundry costs in water.

The relationship between load size and electricity usage is clear but can be tricky to manage. The larger the load of laundry, the more energy-efficient the process is per item. However, if you run too large a load, you may need to increase your run time by adding extra cycles.

The more you use your washing machine, regardless of load size, the more energy you consume. Be cautious of underloading your washing machine, which wastes energy and water per item washed. Instead, try to wait until you have a more substantial load to get the most bang for your buck.

The shorter the cycle, the less water and power you use. Heavy-duty and deep-clean cycles will always require more electricity.

Clothing dryers require a heating element, meaning they’re more expensive to run than washing machines. With that said, some dryers run on gas power. Depending on gas prices, a gas-powered dryer may be more affordable over time than an electric dryer.

Likewise, the presence or lack of a vent can play a role. Ventless models use less energy but must run for longer to properly dry a load of laundry. Vented models tend to have higher energy consumption overall.

The most contemporary clothing dryers have sensor technology. These dryers stop their cycle when they detect that the clothes inside are dry. This tends to use less energy than running a dryer for a predetermined length of time.

Unlike washing machines, dryers use the same amount of energy regardless of load size. It’s always wise to wait and dry a larger load, if possible.

Your washer and dryer’s energy consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kilowatt-hour is equal to the amount of energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. To determine how much 1 load of laundry costs, you must first find out:

1. The wattage of your washer and dryer
2. The cost of electricity per kWh

You can use the following formula for cost calculation:

Power (kW)×Time (hours)×Cost per kWh = cost per load

Let’s assume your washing machine uses 0.5 kWh per load. Assume your electric dryer uses 3.0 kWh per load. The average US rate for electricity is approximately $0.15 per kWh. We’ll also assume an average washing time of 30 minutes and an average drying time of one hour.

First, we can use the formula to calculate the cost to run the washing machine:

0.5 kWh×0.5 hours×0.15 dollars per kWh=0.0375, or approximately 4 cents per load.

Then, we can use the same formula to calculate the cost to run the dryer:

3.0 kWh×1 hour×0.15 dollars per kWh=0.45, or 45 cents per load.

We can find the total cost by adding the cost to run the washer with the cost to run the dryer:

0.04+0.45=0.49, or 49 cents per load.

One full load of laundry, including washing and drying, costs approximately $0.49 in electricity. Thus, if you do laundry once a week, you’re paying about $2.00 per month. If you do laundry daily, you’re paying closer to $15 per month.

The simplest way to make doing laundry more affordable is to start with the lowest available energy rate. If you live in a deregulated energy state, you may have more power than you think.

Browse the Energypricing.com marketplace to compare electricity rates in your region. Just enter your zip code and switch plans or providers in two minutes or less.