Laundry · Pennsylvania
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in Pennsylvania?
The short answer
Each load in a washing machine costs about $0.11 in Pennsylvania (0.50 kWh per load). At 5 loads a week, that adds up to $2.36 a month, or $28.31 a year.
The estimate uses Pennsylvania’s average residential electricity price of 21.7¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 19% above the national average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine cost by number of loads in Pennsylvania
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 2.2 | $0.02 | $0.47 | $5.66 |
| 3 loads/week | 6.5 | $0.05 | $1.42 | $16.99 |
| 5 loads/week | 10.9 | $0.08 | $2.36 | $28.31 |
| 7 loads/week | 15.2 | $0.11 | $3.30 | $39.64 |
| 10 loads/week | 21.7 | $0.16 | $4.72 | $56.63 |
| 14 loads/week | 30.4 | $0.22 | $6.61 | $79.28 |
Pennsylvania vs other states
At typical use, a washing machine costs $28.31 a year in Pennsylvania — $34.26 less than in Hawaii and $11.73 more than in Louisiana.
Pennsylvania has the 14th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Pennsylvania · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in Pennsylvania
21.7¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +11.3% 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 Pennsylvania?
A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.11 at Pennsylvania’s average rate of 21.7¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.07 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 Pennsylvania that costs $2.36.
Is it expensive to run a washing machine in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has the 14th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 21.7¢/kWh — pricier than most. Running a washing machine here costs about $28.31 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in Pennsylvania right now?
The average residential electricity rate in Pennsylvania was 21.7¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 11.3% from a year earlier.
Washing Machine costs in nearby states
Other appliances in Pennsylvania
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).