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

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

The short answer

A typical washing machine uses about 0.50 kWh per load, which costs $0.10 per load in Wisconsin — about $2.07 a month at 5 loads a week.

That’s based on Wisconsin’s average residential rate of 19.1¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 4% above the US average.

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

Washing Machine cost by number of loads in Wisconsin

Cost at 19.1¢/kWh, the Wisconsin average (EIA, Jul 2026)
UsagekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 load/week 2.2 $0.01 $0.41 $4.97
3 loads/week 6.5 $0.04 $1.24 $14.91
5 loads/week 10.9 $0.07 $2.07 $24.85
7 loads/week 15.2 $0.10 $2.90 $34.78
10 loads/week 21.7 $0.14 $4.14 $49.69
14 loads/week 30.4 $0.19 $5.80 $69.57

Wisconsin vs other states

At typical use, a washing machine costs $24.85 a year in Wisconsin — $37.73 less than in Hawaii and $8.26 more than in Louisiana.

Wisconsin has the 18th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Wisconsin · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Wisconsin

19.1¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +4.4% 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 Wisconsin?

A typical load uses about 0.50 kWh, which costs $0.10 at Wisconsin’s average rate of 19.1¢/kWh. An efficient model can cost as little as $0.06 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 Wisconsin that costs $2.07.

Is it expensive to run a washing machine in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has the 18th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 19.1¢/kWh — pricier than most. Running a washing machine here costs about $24.85 a year at typical use, compared with $23.87 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Wisconsin right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Wisconsin was 19.1¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 4.4% from a year earlier.

Washing Machine costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method