Laundry · South Carolina
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in South Carolina?
The short answer
A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.08 per load in South Carolina — about $1.68 a month at 5 loads a week.
The estimate uses South Carolina’s average residential electricity price of 15.5¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 16% below the national average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Washing Machine cost by number of loads in South Carolina
| Usage | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 load/week | 2.2 | $0.01 | $0.34 | $4.03 |
| 3 loads/week | 6.5 | $0.03 | $1.01 | $12.10 |
| 5 loads/week | 10.9 | $0.06 | $1.68 | $20.17 |
| 7 loads/week | 15.2 | $0.08 | $2.35 | $28.23 |
| 10 loads/week | 21.7 | $0.11 | $3.36 | $40.33 |
| 14 loads/week | 30.4 | $0.15 | $4.71 | $56.47 |
South Carolina vs other states
At typical use, a washing machine costs $20.17 a year in South Carolina — $42.41 less than in Hawaii and $3.58 more than in Louisiana.
South Carolina has the 20th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in South Carolina · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in South Carolina
15.5¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +5.2% 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 South Carolina?
A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.08 at South Carolina’s average rate of 15.5¢/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 South Carolina that costs $1.68.
Is it expensive to run a washing machine in South Carolina?
South Carolina has the 20th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 15.5¢/kWh — cheaper than most. Running a washing machine here costs about $20.17 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in South Carolina right now?
The average residential electricity rate in South Carolina was 15.5¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 5.2% from a year earlier.
Washing Machine costs in nearby states
Other appliances in South 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).