If you wash on hot and rinse on warm, you're going to use an average of 4.5 kWh per load, which at a cost of $0.15 per kWh will cost you $0.68. On the other hand, if you wash on cold and rinse on cold, you're going to use an average of 0.3 kWh per load, which at a cost of $0.15 per kWh will cost you $0.04.
The least efficient machines can use as much as 0.99 kWh per cycle, costing £0.33 at current prices. The average washing machine will use 174.46 kWh per year (assuming you use it 220 times a year). This will cost £57.92 per year based on the averages prices for the price cap period ending 31 March 2023.
Combining all of these factors, the average cost of a load of laundry is $1.27. At this cost, if you do one load per week, doing laundry costs $66.04 per year. If you do four loads per week, doing laundry costs $264.16 per year.
So, how much does one wash cost in electricity? Well, if we look at a typical D-rated, 9 kg washing machine, this uses 0.76 kWh per cycle, which works out at 26p per wash cycle. However, an A-rated washing machine uses 0.49 kWh per wash cycle, so the cost decreases to just 16p per load of laundry.
The colder the cycle the better
Washing your clothes at cooler temperatures, and for less time, can greatly increase your machine's energy efficiency - a 30 degree cycle can cut your washing machine's energy use in half, in comparison to a 40-60 degree cycle.
Given that energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, I would advise scheduling your washing machine to run into the early hours of the morning. Doing this can help you to significantly cut down energy costs."
How much does it cost to do an average load of laundry? Combining all of these factors, the average cost of a load of laundry is $1.27. At this cost, if you do one load per week, doing laundry costs $66.04 per year. If you do four loads per week, doing laundry costs $264.16 per year.
Washing machine wattages cover a huge range, from under 300 watts per hour for the most efficient models to over 1,500 for the real energy hogs. Your washing machine's age is a big factor, because modern washing machines are overall more efficient than older models.
“The most expensive time to run your washing machine is between 4pm and 7pm," Vivien said. "Wash your clothes for less by maximising the start delay function to programme the machine to run outside of peak energy times.”
Electric dryers span a wide range of wattages, from about 2,000 to 6,000 watts. That translates to about 2 to 6 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Based on the national average rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, each hour of electric drying will cost somewhere between 24 and 72 cents, depending on the model.
There is no definitive answer to this question. Washing your clothes by hand will use considerably less water than using a machine but unless you use cold water, the energy required to heat the water in your home probably outweighs the electricity usage by your appliance.
They also have more machines, which means you can get your laundry done faster. Plus, laundromats are typically cheaper than doing laundry at home, and they offer more convenience since you can do your laundry any time of the day or night.
Average costs to wash a load of laundry range from $1.50 to $4.00, with the national average hovering right around $2.00 (source). The cost of drying a load of laundry is very similar, though it typically depends on the amount of time it takes for the clothes to dry.
Always run a full load of laundry
Washers and dryers use about the same amount of electricity to wash a small load as they do a full load. So, it's more efficient to wait to do laundry until you have a full load, but remember -- don't over-stuff your dryer.
That's the idea behind a startup called SudShare. It's sort of like Uber for laundry. Once you sign up, you agree to wash other people's dirty laundry in your own home. You pick up, wash, fold and deliver the clothes back within 24 hours or even the same day for extra cash.
Given that energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, I would advise scheduling your washing machine to run into the early hours of the morning. Doing this can help you to significantly cut down energy costs." Deyan also suggested a couple more things that we can do to slash costs when washing our clothes.
It's cheaper at night, when demand for power is at its lowest. This quieter period is called the off-peak hours, which usually falls between 10pm and 8am. Conversely, peak hours are during the daytime, when more people are using electricity and demand is higher. Not all energy suppliers follow time-of-use tariffs.
The firm said: 'If you have a two-rate meter, use devices such as your washing machine and tumble dryer between midnight and 7am when rates are cheaper. ' However, it's not advised to leave a washer going overnight while you're asleep – as it's a potential fire risk.
A QUICK wash is convenient and easy, but many of us also choose the cycle as it's cheaper - and greener when it comes to the environment. However, a new study by Which? has debunked this theory, and suggests that a quick wash will actually cost you MORE money.
However, depending on your energy provider's rates, you can often save on your energy bill by washing your clothes at different times of the day. Try washing before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m. – Many energy companies charge extra for electricity during their “peak hours,” which see increased energy usage.
Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation. In order to get the best possible wash, you also need to use top-quality products.