Washing Machine Running Cost Calculator UK
Calculate how much your washing machine costs to run per wash, week, month and year using your own electricity rate.
The calculator defaults to 26.11p per kWh, the Ofgem average electricity unit rate for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit from 1 July to 30 September 2026. Your own tariff may be different.
View Ofgem electricity rates →Calculate Your Washing Machine Running Cost
Your Estimated Running Costs
Usage Summary
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Washes Frequency Comparison
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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine?
Your washing machine's electricity cost depends on the energy consumed per cycle in kWh, your electricity price in p/kWh and the number of washes you run.
Using the calculator's default example, 0.75 kWh × 26.11p/kWh = 19.58p, or about £0.20 per wash. At the default five washes per week, that is about £0.98 a week. These are example inputs, not a consumption figure for every machine.
Multiply the cost per wash by your number of washes to estimate the total electricity cost. Using a rate in p/kWh gives a cost in pence; divide by 100 for pounds. Enter your own tariff using the UK electricity unit rate guide. These estimates cover electricity only, excluding water and detergent.
How Much Electricity Does a Washing Machine Use?
Washing machine electricity consumption is best measured in kWh per cycle. Actual use varies with the programme, temperature, load size and machine efficiency, so there is no single figure that applies to every wash.
UK/EU energy labels may show kWh per 100 cycles. Divide that figure by 100 to estimate kWh per cycle for the programme covered by the label. Other programmes may use a different amount.
Check the energy label, product manual or manufacturer's specification page for your machine and programme. Our appliance energy usage guide explains where to find the figure to enter above.
Washing Machine Watts and Kilowatts Explained
Rated wattage describes power, not total energy consumption. A kilowatt (kW) is 1,000 watts (W); a kilowatt-hour (kWh) measures energy used over time.
A washing machine does not necessarily draw its rated power throughout a cycle. Heating water is usually one of the higher-power stages, while other stages use less. For running-cost estimates, programme kWh or measured kWh per cycle is generally more useful than multiplying maximum wattage by the full programme duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wash cost?
With the calculator's example of 0.75 kWh per wash and 26.11p/kWh, electricity costs about 20p per wash. Your cost depends on the programme's energy use and your tariff. Water and detergent are extra.
How much electricity does a washing machine use?
Use the kWh per cycle listed for your machine and programme, or divide the energy label's kWh per 100 cycles by 100. Temperature, load size, programme and machine efficiency affect actual use; the calculator's 0.75 kWh default is an example.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine for one hour?
Multiply the kWh actually consumed during that hour by your electricity rate per kWh. Power varies throughout a wash, so using maximum wattage for a whole hour can be misleading. For the cost of a complete wash, use measured cycle consumption or the programme's kWh figure in the calculator above.
How many watts does a washing machine use?
Check your machine's rating plate or manual for its rated power in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). Actual power changes during the cycle, particularly when heating water, so the rating alone does not tell you the energy used or cost per wash.
Does washing at a lower temperature save electricity?
Lower-temperature programmes can often use less electricity because less energy is required to heat the water, although actual consumption varies by appliance and programme.
Is this calculator exact?
No. It estimates electricity costs from the values you enter. Programme, load, temperature and machine efficiency affect energy use, while your tariff determines the price per kWh.
What does kWh mean?
kWh means kilowatt-hour, a standard unit used to measure electrical energy consumption.
Other Electricity Cost Calculators
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