U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
Appliances Rates by state Compare Calculators Reports Methodology About

Laundry · Washington

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

The short answer

A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.07 per load in Washington — about $1.60 a month at 5 loads a week.

That’s based on Washington’s average residential rate of 14.7¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 20% below the US average.

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

Washing Machine cost by number of loads in Washington

Cost at 14.7¢/kWh, the Washington average (EIA, Jul 2026)
UsagekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 load/week 2.2 $0.01 $0.32 $3.84
3 loads/week 6.5 $0.03 $0.96 $11.51
5 loads/week 10.9 $0.05 $1.60 $19.18
7 loads/week 15.2 $0.07 $2.24 $26.85
10 loads/week 21.7 $0.11 $3.20 $38.35
14 loads/week 30.4 $0.15 $4.47 $53.69

Washington vs other states

At typical use, a washing machine costs $19.18 a year in Washington — $43.40 less than in Hawaii and $2.59 more than in Louisiana.

Washington has the 13th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Washington · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Washington

14.7¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +9.4% 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 Washington?

A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.07 at Washington’s average rate of 14.7¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.04 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 Washington that costs $1.60.

Is it expensive to run a washing machine in Washington?

Washington has the 13th-cheapest residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 14.7¢/kWh — cheaper than most. Running a washing machine here costs about $19.18 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Washington right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Washington was 14.7¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 9.4% from a year earlier.

Washing Machine costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method