United Kingdom Laundry and water
How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
A washing machine is rated up to 2,000 watts, but almost all of that is the water heater, which only runs on hot cycles. A 40 degree cold-fill wash on a modern machine uses about 0.5 to 0.8 kWh, a 60 degree wash about 1.2 to 1.5 kWh, and a cold wash under 0.3.
One load of a washing machine uses about 0.70 kWh and costs about 18p in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. At 1 load a day that is about 18p a day, £5.61 a month and £67.29 a year.
- Price: Ofgem cap, Oct to Dec 2026
- Wattage range with its source
- Checked 26 October 2026
Uses 0.70 kWh a day, 21 kWh a month, at 26.32 pence per kWh (Great Britain (price cap average)).
The dial places the daily cost between a 50 watt fan and a 4.5 kW water heater on 2.5 hours a day.
One load of a washing machine uses about 0.70 kWh and costs about 18p in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. At 1 load a day that is about 18p a day, £5.61 a month and £67.29 a year.
What this assumes
The default is 0.70 kWh per load, 1 load a day. Published figures for one load run from 0.3 to 1.5 kWh depending on the model and the setting. The energy label on the machine, or its manual, gives the figure for your model.
The price is the Ofgem price cap unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026, average for England, Scotland and Wales, paying by Direct Debit. The cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 is announced in late November 2026. A fixed tariff, a time-of-use plan or a different payment method changes the rate, which is why the rate field is editable.
Cost per load by energy used, at the price cap rate
At 26.32p per kWh. The energy label or manual gives the figure for your model and programme.
| Energy per load | Per load | 1 a day, per week | 1 a day, per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 kWh | 7.9p | 55p | £2.40 |
| 0.60 kWh | 16p | £1.11 | £4.81 |
| 0.70 kWh | 18p | £1.29 | £5.61 |
| 0.90 kWh | 24p | £1.66 | £7.21 |
| 1.2 kWh | 32p | £2.21 | £9.61 |
| 1.5 kWh | 39p | £2.76 | £12.02 |
How a washing machine uses electricity
In the UK and Europe the machine heats its own water, so the temperature you pick sets the cost. In the US many machines take hot water from the house supply, which moves the cost to the water heater.
The motor and pump use only 100 to 300 watts. Spin speed changes drying time more than washing cost.
Ways to cut the cost
- Wash at 30 or 40 degrees. Modern detergents work cold.
- Full loads, highest spin you can, then air dry.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to run a washing machine per load?
About 0.7 kWh for a 40 degree wash, which is about 13 cents at 18 cents per kWh or 18p at 26.32p per kWh.
Does a washing machine use a lot of electricity?
Not compared with the tumble dryer. A 40 degree wash is about 0.7 kWh, drying the same load is 2.5 to 4 kWh.
Other laundry and water costs
More in the UK
Sources
The electricity price on this page is read from the data file that also lists the release it came from. The wattage range is a published typical range, not a measurement of your appliance.