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

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

The short answer

Each load in a washing machine costs about $0.09 in Virginia (0.50 kWh per load). At 5 loads a week, that adds up to $1.91 a month, or $22.88 a year.

The estimate uses Virginia’s average residential electricity price of 17.6¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 4% below the national average.

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

Washing Machine cost by number of loads in Virginia

Cost at 17.6¢/kWh, the Virginia average (EIA, Jul 2026)
UsagekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 load/week 2.2 $0.01 $0.38 $4.58
3 loads/week 6.5 $0.04 $1.14 $13.73
5 loads/week 10.9 $0.06 $1.91 $22.88
7 loads/week 15.2 $0.09 $2.67 $32.03
10 loads/week 21.7 $0.13 $3.81 $45.76
14 loads/week 30.4 $0.18 $5.34 $64.06

Virginia vs other states

At typical use, a washing machine costs $22.88 a year in Virginia — $39.69 less than in Hawaii and $6.30 more than in Louisiana.

Virginia has the 20th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Virginia · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Virginia

17.6¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +11.2% 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 Virginia?

A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.09 at Virginia’s average rate of 17.6¢/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 Virginia that costs $1.91.

Is it expensive to run a washing machine in Virginia?

Virginia has the 20th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 17.6¢/kWh — pricier than most. Running a washing machine here costs about $22.88 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Virginia right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Virginia was 17.6¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 11.2% from a year earlier.

Washing Machine costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method