How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
How much does it cost to run a washing machine depends mainly on the electricity used by each cycle and your current tariff. Using 0.47 kWh per wash as a working example, one cycle costs 12p. At five washes a week, the yearly electricity cost is £31.91.
A modern washing machine may use relatively little electricity per cycle, but repeated loads add up across a year. The useful figure is the kWh used by the programme you actually run.
Definition: Washing machine running cost is the electricity cost of completing a wash cycle. It is calculated from the kWh used by that cycle and the electricity unit rate that applies to your home.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
For the working example in this guide, a cycle uses 0.47 kWh, so one wash costs 12p. Five loads each week equal 2.35 kWh a week and 122.2 kWh a year, costing 61p per week and £31.91 per year.
The arithmetic is 0.47 kWh multiplied by five washes, giving 2.35 kWh per week. Multiply that by 52 weeks and annual use is 122.2 kWh.
| What is being measured | kWh | Cost per use | Cost per week | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One wash, assuming five washes each week | 0.47 kWh per cycle | 12p | 61p | £31.91 |
Worked out from 0.47 kWh at 26.1p per kWh for electricity. Weekly and yearly figures assume 5 uses a week. Substitute the rate from your own bill and the method still holds.
Rates checked August 2026.
If your cycle uses a different amount, use the kWh figure for that programme. For a broader overview, see Washing Machine Running Costs.
What affects the cost of one washing machine cycle?
The main factors are programme choice, wash temperature, machine efficiency and how often you run it. Two cycles on the same appliance can use different amounts of electricity even with a similar load.
Wash temperature
Heating water is a major part of a wash cycle’s energy use. Lower-temperature programmes can therefore use less electricity where they are suitable for the fabrics and cleaning required. For a direct comparison, see 30 vs 40 wash cost.
Programme and cycle design
Eco programmes often run for longer while using less energy for heating. A long programme is not automatically an expensive one, so duration alone is a poor guide to cost.
Load size and washing habits
Frequent small loads increase the number of cycles you pay for. A sensibly filled drum, within the manufacturer’s guidance, usually makes better use of each wash than repeatedly cleaning only a few items.
How much does a washing machine cost per year in the UK?
Annual cost depends on kWh per cycle and the number of washes you run. On the 0.47 kWh and five-washes-a-week assumption used here, annual consumption is 122.2 kWh, which costs £31.91 at the current unit rate.
Your household may sit above or below that figure. More loads increase total use, while a lower-energy programme can reduce the kWh consumed each time.
- Check the energy use for the programme you use most.
- Multiply kWh per wash by your normal weekly number of loads.
- Multiply the weekly figure by 52 for an annual estimate.
- Use 26.1p as the current electricity rate rather than storing a fixed figure.
To test different assumptions, a washing machine running cost calculator is the simplest option.
Is it cheaper to run a washing machine at night?
Only if your electricity tariff charges a lower rate during certain overnight hours. On a standard single-rate tariff, moving the same wash from daytime to night does not make the electricity cheaper.
Time-of-use and off-peak tariffs can make timing matter, but the cheaper window varies. Check your supplier’s tariff details rather than assuming every overnight hour is discounted.
Cost is not the only consideration. Do not run an appliance in a way that conflicts with manufacturer guidance or basic household safety.
When is cutting washing machine running costs not worth the effort?
It is not worth changing your routine dramatically to save a tiny amount of electricity while making washing less practical or less effective. If your usual cycle already uses around the 0.47 kWh example in this guide, shaving a very small amount from one or two weekly loads may produce only a modest annual difference. Do not underload the machine repeatedly, delay essential washing, use unsuitable temperatures for hygiene-sensitive items, or replace a reliable appliance purely because a newer model looks slightly more efficient on paper.
Replacement is especially hard to justify when the purchase price is high and your existing machine is used infrequently. Start with free changes: choose an appropriate efficient programme, avoid unnecessary partial loads, and reduce the number of cycles where that is practical. If the appliance is old, heavily used or showing unusually high consumption, then reduce washing machine running costs and a proper comparison of replacement options can be worthwhile. The saving should be large enough to matter before you spend money chasing it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a quick wash always cost less?
No. A shorter cycle can still use relatively high power for heating or faster washing. Check the programme’s energy information instead of judging cost by minutes alone.
Does a full washing machine use more electricity than a half load?
Not necessarily in proportion to the amount of laundry. If one full load replaces two smaller washes, the reduced number of cycles can lower overall energy use.
How can I tell how many kWh my washing machine uses?
Start with the manufacturer’s energy information for the relevant programme. A suitable plug-in energy monitor may also show actual consumption without opening or altering any electrical fitting.
Should I replace an old washing machine to save electricity?
Not automatically. Compare the purchase cost with the realistic difference in annual energy use, especially if you wash only a few times a week. Replacement makes more sense when an older machine is inefficient, unreliable or costly to repair.
The easiest estimate starts with kWh per cycle and your real weekly wash frequency. Using the example here, five 0.47 kWh cycles a week use 122.2 kWh a year, while the site’s live shortcodes keep the money figure current.
