U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
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Laundry · Maine

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in Maine?

The short answer

A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.16 per load in Maine — about $3.52 a month at 5 loads a week.

The estimate uses Maine’s average residential electricity price of 32.4¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 77% above the national average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Washing Machine cost by number of loads in Maine

Cost at 32.4¢/kWh, the Maine average (EIA, Jul 2026)
UsagekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 load/week 2.2 $0.02 $0.70 $8.45
3 loads/week 6.5 $0.07 $2.11 $25.35
5 loads/week 10.9 $0.12 $3.52 $42.25
7 loads/week 15.2 $0.16 $4.93 $59.15
10 loads/week 21.7 $0.23 $7.04 $84.50
14 loads/week 30.4 $0.32 $9.86 $118

Maine vs other states

At typical use, a washing machine costs $42.25 a year in Maine — $20.32 less than in Hawaii and $25.67 more than in Louisiana.

Maine has the 3rd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Maine price per kWh · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Maine

32.4¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +15.8% 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 Maine?

A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.16 at Maine’s average rate of 32.4¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.10 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 Maine that costs $3.52.

Is it expensive to run a washing machine in Maine?

Maine has the 3rd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 32.4¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a washing machine here costs about $42.25 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Maine right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Maine was 32.4¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 15.8% from a year earlier.

Washing Machine costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method