How Many Watts Does a Washing Machine Use?

Whether you’re a large family doing daily laundry or an individual running smaller loads a few times a week, knowing how many watts your washing machine consumes, how much it costs, and how to reduce the bill (spoiler: consider using a solar washing machine) can save you tons of money over the years.

Read on to learn more about washing machines’ energy consumption and how solar washing machines have become a great saving solution for many households.

How Much Energy Does a Washing Machine Use?

The washing machine’s electricity consumption varies from home to home, depending on the type of machine, washing mode and temperature, load size, and efficiency.

Source: REALSIMPLE 

On average, a modern washer uses between 400 and 1400 watts per cycle. However, actual energy consumption is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per load.

• Standard washing machine: 0.6 – 1.3 kWh per load
• High-efficiency washing machine: 0.3 – 0.5 kWh per load

For a family that runs about 5 loads per week, the annual power consumption can range from 80 to 340 kWh, depending on local electricity rates.

What Factors Affect Washing Machine Electricity Usage?

1. Washer type

There are two primary types of washing machines for home usage:

• Front-loading washing machines
• Top-loading washing machines

 

Source: Choice 

Front-loading washers are generally more efficient, using less water and electricity because they rely on tumbling rather than an agitator.

2. Water Temperature

You might not think about it when selecting a washing mode, but heating water is one of the most energy-intensive parts of the washing process.

• Cold water wash: lowest energy usage
• Warm water wash: moderate consumption
• Hot water wash: highest energy use

If you switch from hot to warm or cold water, you can significantly reduce your washing machine’s power consumption without sacrificing cleaning performance for most loads.

3. Load Size

Another factor is the load size. You might not like storing unwashed clothes to wash them together, but realizing that running many small loads increases overall energy use can change your mind. Washing full loads maximizes efficiency and reduces electricity per garment.

4. Machine Efficiency Rating

One important characteristic to consider when looking for a new washing machine is the efficiency rating. Modern technologies aim to provide maximum results with less energy use. The modern machines often carry Energy Star or similar efficiency certifications, which indicate lower energy and water consumption. Note that knowing how many gallons of water a washing machine uses can help you better estimate total energy demand and potential savings.

Just imagine that an older washing machine may use two to three times as much electricity as a newer, energy-efficient model. 

Average Cost of Running a Washing Machine

Let’s estimate the electricity cost of washing laundry for 5 loads a week:

• Loads per week: 5
• Average load power consumption: 0.7 kWh
• Weekly consumption: 3.5 kWh
• Annual consumption: ≈182 kWh

If electricity costs $0.20 per kWh, annual washing machine costs would be:

182 × $0.20 = $36.40 per year

While that may seem modest, the cost increases when combined with the costs of dryers, water heaters, and other appliances. Households with larger families or frequent laundry loads may spend significantly more.

Furthermore, yearly spending depends on state and regional electricity rates. 

The table below estimates washing machine electricity costs by state, using average residential electricity prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The estimate uses 0.7 kWh as the typical energy consumption of a washing machine, based on an average of 5 loads per week (≈260 loads per year).

State	Avg Electricity Price (¢/kWh)	Cost Per Load (0.7 kWh)	Estimated Cost Per Year (260 loads)
California	34.31¢	$0.24	$62.46
New York	24.66¢	$0.17	$44.88
Florida	15.92¢	$0.11	$28.98
Texas	15.30¢	$0.11	$27.85
Illinois	15.96¢	$0.11	$29.04
Ohio	15.66¢	$0.11	$28.50
Pennsylvania	18.22¢	$0.13	$33.16

How a Solar Washing Machine Can Help You Save On Electricity Bills

Using solar energy is an effective way to reduce or eliminate the cost of household appliances. The washer is one of the most frequently used appliances; thus, operating a solar washing machine can significantly affect your electricity use. Additionally, once you decide to go with solar energy, you will benefit from savings on other energy-consuming appliances, like the dishwasher, dryer, air conditioner, and fridge. 

Let’s have a look at the average energy use of common household appliances:

Appliance	Average Energy Use (kWh per year)
Washing machine	80–340
Dishwasher	180–300
Refrigerator	400–800
Electric dryer	700–1500
Air conditioner	1000–3500

Adding a battery to your solar system allows you to use green energy at any time, even during a blackout, and you can sell excess energy.

Ready to go solar today? Don’t hesitate and get your free solar quote now! 

GET SOLAR QUOTE

Other Benefits of a Solar System

Besides free washing cycles and  lower electricity bills, you get many more benefits from using solar energy to power your home:

Energy Independence	Even when electricity prices go up, you still use your solar energy for free. Adding a battery to your solar system guarantees electricity 24/7, even during blackouts.
Extended Cost Savings	Many homeowners hesitate to go solar because panel installation requires an upfront investment, but the system pays off over time through lower energy bills and incentives.
Environmental Impact	Traditional electricity is mostly generated from fossil fuels, whereas solar energy reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity consumption.

Tips to Reduce Washing Machine Energy Consumption

On top of using a solar washing machine, there are several other ways to reduce your electricity use:

• Pick washer models that use less energy. Pay attention to the energy rating of the washing machine when you buy a new one. An energy-efficient washer will reduce overall energy consumption.

• Try to use cold water. Modern detergents perform effectively in cold water, so there’s no need to use hot water for every cycle. Try to use cold cycles as much as possible to save on energy consumption.
• Wash Full Loads. Running fewer, fuller loads makes things work better and uses less electricity overall.
• Dry laundry in the air. Keep in mind that electric dryers use much more electricity than washing machines. When possible, air-drying will also help you save.

Source: MJK Power 

Is a Solar Washing Machine Worth It?

If you consider long-term savings, a solar energy system is definitely worth it. At first glance, the energy consumption of a washing machine may appear minimal, but its frequent use, combined with other home appliances, can add up to a significant amount. 

Likewise, if you zoom out, you’ll see that your electricity consumption is growing all the time because you need to power all the new devices that appear on the market. This is why electricity prices are growing, and this is why you need a strategy to minimize costs. 

The good news is that even a simple solar system can reduce the energy used by common household items like lights, laundry machines, and electronics. 

So if you want to save money on electricity bills, start by choosing energy-efficient appliances, then optimize your laundry habits, and then consider powering your washing machine and possibly other devices with solar energy.