Laundry · Rhode Island
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in Rhode Island?
The short answer
Each load in a washing machine costs about $0.14 in Rhode Island (0.50 kWh per load). At 5 loads a week, that adds up to $3.07 a month, or $36.88 a year.
The estimate uses Rhode Island’s average residential electricity price of 28.3¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 55% above the national average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine cost by number of loads in Rhode Island
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 2.2 | $0.02 | $0.61 | $7.38 |
| 3 loads/week | 6.5 | $0.06 | $1.84 | $22.13 |
| 5 loads/week | 10.9 | $0.10 | $3.07 | $36.88 |
| 7 loads/week | 15.2 | $0.14 | $4.30 | $51.63 |
| 10 loads/week | 21.7 | $0.20 | $6.15 | $73.76 |
| 14 loads/week | 30.4 | $0.28 | $8.61 | $103 |
Rhode Island vs other states
At typical use, a washing machine costs $36.88 a year in Rhode Island — $25.69 less than in Hawaii and $20.30 more than in Louisiana.
Rhode Island has the 7th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Rhode Island · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in Rhode Island
28.3¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +8.1% 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 Rhode Island?
A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.14 at Rhode Island’s average rate of 28.3¢/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 Rhode Island that costs $3.07.
Is it expensive to run a washing machine in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has the 7th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 28.3¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a washing machine here costs about $36.88 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in Rhode Island right now?
The average residential electricity rate in Rhode Island was 28.3¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 8.1% from a year earlier.
Washing Machine costs in nearby states
Other appliances in Rhode Island
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).