Laundry · North Carolina
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in North Carolina?
The short answer
A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.08 per load in North Carolina — about $1.65 a month at 5 loads a week.
That’s based on North Carolina’s average residential rate of 15.2¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 17% below the US average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine cost by number of loads in North Carolina
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 2.2 | $0.01 | $0.33 | $3.95 |
| 3 loads/week | 6.5 | $0.03 | $0.99 | $11.86 |
| 5 loads/week | 10.9 | $0.05 | $1.65 | $19.76 |
| 7 loads/week | 15.2 | $0.08 | $2.31 | $27.67 |
| 10 loads/week | 21.7 | $0.11 | $3.29 | $39.52 |
| 14 loads/week | 30.4 | $0.15 | $4.61 | $55.33 |
North Carolina vs other states
At typical use, a washing machine costs $19.76 a year in North Carolina — $42.81 less than in Hawaii and $3.18 more than in Louisiana.
North Carolina has the 16th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in North Carolina · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in North Carolina
15.2¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +13.4% 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 North Carolina?
A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.08 at North Carolina’s average rate of 15.2¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.05 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 North Carolina that costs $1.65.
Is it expensive to run a washing machine in North Carolina?
North Carolina has the 16th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 15.2¢/kWh — cheaper than most. Running a washing machine here costs about $19.76 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in North Carolina right now?
The average residential electricity rate in North Carolina was 15.2¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 13.4% from a year earlier.
Washing Machine costs in nearby states
Other appliances in North Carolina
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).