laundry · 350W typical
Running a washing machine (front load) costs about $0.87/month.
That's the typical washing machine (front load) at 350W, run 1 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A washing machine (front load) draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 0.5 effective hours at 350W across your 1-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same washing machine (front load) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
family load
$0.87
per month
1-2 loads per day
couple's weekly
$0.26
per month
2-3 loads per week
Where you live
$1.57 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $2.16 | $26.32 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $1.65 | $20.06 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $1.62 | $19.67 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $1.51 | $18.33 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $1.46 | $17.82 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $1.29 | $15.71 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $1.28 | $15.52 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $1.17 | $14.24 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $1.16 | $14.12 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $1.13 | $13.73 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $1.01 | $12.33 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $1.00 | $12.20 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.97 | $11.75 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.95 | $11.56 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.93 | $11.37 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.91 | $11.11 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.90 | $10.99 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.89 | $10.79 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.87 | $10.60 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.86 | $10.41 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.83 | $10.09 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.82 | $10.03 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.82 | $9.96 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.81 | $9.84 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.80 | $9.71 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.80 | $9.71 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.79 | $9.65 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.78 | $9.45 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.78 | $9.45 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.77 | $9.39 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.77 | $9.39 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.77 | $9.33 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.75 | $9.07 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.74 | $9.01 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.73 | $8.88 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.71 | $8.69 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.70 | $8.56 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.70 | $8.50 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.69 | $8.43 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.69 | $8.37 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.69 | $8.37 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.67 | $8.11 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.65 | $7.92 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.64 | $7.79 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.64 | $7.73 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.64 | $7.73 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.62 | $7.60 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.61 | $7.41 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.60 | $7.35 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.60 | $7.28 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.59 | $7.22 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $32.22/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
130W
$0.32 per month
$3.91 per year
Typical
350W
$0.87 per month
$10.54 per year
High draw
1200W
$2.97 per month
$36.14 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Constant use year-round.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Wash in cold water — 90% of energy is water heating
Saves 200-400 kWh/year
- 2
Use HE detergent only — regular detergent creates extra rinse cycles
Avoids 15-25% more water and energy use
- 3
Leave door ajar between loads — prevents mildew restart cycles
Keeps spec efficiency long-term
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| LG | WM4000HWA Front Load | 350W |
| Samsung | WF45T6000AW Front Load | 400W |
| Electrolux | ELFW7637AW | 380W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13