Laundry · District of Columbia
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in District of Columbia?
The short answer
A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.13 per load in District of Columbia — about $2.74 a month at 5 loads a week.
That’s based on District of Columbia’s average residential rate of 25.2¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 38% above the US average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine cost by number of loads in District of Columbia
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 2.2 | $0.02 | $0.55 | $6.57 |
| 3 loads/week | 6.5 | $0.05 | $1.64 | $19.72 |
| 5 loads/week | 10.9 | $0.09 | $2.74 | $32.86 |
| 7 loads/week | 15.2 | $0.13 | $3.83 | $46.01 |
| 10 loads/week | 21.7 | $0.18 | $5.48 | $65.73 |
| 14 loads/week | 30.4 | $0.25 | $7.67 | $92.02 |
District of Columbia vs other states
At typical use, a washing machine costs $32.86 a year in District of Columbia — $29.71 less than in Hawaii and $16.28 more than in Louisiana.
District of Columbia has the 9th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. District of Columbia price per kWh · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in District of Columbia
25.2¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +9.4% from a year earlier.
How to lower the cost of running a washing machine
The motor and pump in a washing machine use relatively little electricity: around 0.3–0.5 kWh per load for a cold wash. A hot wash with water from an electric water heater can push the total to 2 kWh or more per load. Front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders use less water and spin clothes drier, which also cuts dryer time.
- Wash in cold water — modern detergents clean well, and it can cut energy per load by up to 90%.
- Run full loads and use the high-spin setting to shorten drying time.
- Use the eco cycle for lightly soiled clothes.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost per load to run a washing machine in District of Columbia?
A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.13 at District of Columbia’s average rate of 25.2¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.08 per load.
How many kWh does a washing machine use per month?
At 5 loads a week, a typical washing machine uses about 10.9 kWh a month. In District of Columbia that costs $2.74.
Is it expensive to run a washing machine in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has the 9th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 25.2¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a washing machine here costs about $32.86 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in District of Columbia right now?
The average residential electricity rate in District of Columbia was 25.2¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 9.4% from a year earlier.
Washing Machine costs in nearby states
Other appliances in District of Columbia
Cheapest and priciest states
Comparisons
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Default usage for washing machine: 5 loads a week. Typical power 500W.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).