Calculate your cost
Start with a representative input, then edit all three numbers.
This setup uses about 8 kWh in a 30-day month.
Please enter valid values within the ranges shown.
| Schedule | Hours/day | Cost/month |
|---|---|---|
| Half runtime | 0.25 | $0.71 |
| Starting point | 0.5 | $1.41 |
| Longer runtime | 0.75 | $2.12 |
Same 500-watt input and 18.83¢/kWh rate; only runtime changes.
The quick formula
0.5 kW × 0.5 hours × $0.1883 = $0.05 per day
Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by the active hours used each day, then multiply by the electricity price in dollars per kWh. Multiply the daily result by 30 for the monthly estimate shown above.
How to read this estimate
The washer motor itself is usually a modest electrical load, while heating the wash water can add cost elsewhere on the bill. Cycle length, water temperature, and load frequency make a better estimate than capacity alone.
The starting values keep this page useful before you have a label or meter reading. They do not describe every model, climate, operating mode, or household.
What changes the cost?
- 01
Cycle type, motor speed, and machine efficiency
- 02
Wash temperature and the home's water-heating system
- 03
Loads per week and whether the drum is appropriately filled
Ways to spend less
- Wash with cold water when it is suitable for the fabric and soil level.
- Run full, properly sized loads instead of many small loads.
- Use a high spin speed to reduce dryer time.