When the laundry seems never-ending, it helps to know what one wash adds to the electricity bill. The figure on a washing machine’s energy label gives you a useful starting point, but your actual cost changes with the cycle, temperature, load and tariff.
Here is how to work out a washing machine’s electricity cost per wash and per year without pretending every programme uses the same amount. We also explain what the label leaves out. If you are choosing a new machine, see our buying guide and best washing machine picks.
Find the kWh per 100 cycles on the label
A current UK washing-machine energy label reports electricity use as kWh per 100 cycles for the Eco 40–60 programme. Divide by 100 to estimate the labelled electricity use for one such cycle. It also shows water use per cycle, programme duration, rated capacity and spin noise. The UK energy-label guidance explains these fields.
The label lets you compare models on a common basis. It is not a meter reading for a quick, cotton or hygiene cycle at home. Load size and selected temperature can change consumption, so do not apply the Eco figure to every wash as if it were measured.
Calculate the electricity cost of one wash
Use this formula: (label kWh per 100 cycles ÷ 100) × your electricity unit rate in pounds per kWh. For example, if a label shows an illustrative 50 kWh per 100 cycles and you pay an illustrative 25p/kWh, the calculation is 0.5 kWh × £0.25 = 12.5p per Eco 40–60 wash.
Those example numbers are not a claim about a particular machine or a current national tariff. Use your own label and bill: Ofgem explains unit rates and standing charges. The standing charge is a daily charge, not an extra charge caused by pressing Start on one wash.
| Illustrative label use | Per Eco cycle at 25p/kWh | Five Eco cycles weekly, 52 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 40 kWh per 100 cycles | 10p | £26 |
| 50 kWh per 100 cycles | 12.5p | £32.50 |
| 70 kWh per 100 cycles | 17.5p | £45.50 |
These are arithmetic examples only, not quoted model performance or a tariff recommendation. On a phone, swipe the table sideways.
Turn your own routine into a yearly estimate
Multiply the per-wash electricity estimate by the number of Eco 40–60 washes you expect in a week, then by 52. If you do a mix of programmes, this is only a baseline. For a more representative figure, check programme-specific information in the manual or measure a few typical cycles with an appropriate energy meter, following its safety instructions.
For example, five washes a week at the illustrative 12.5p electricity figure above total £32.50 a year for those cycles. It does not include water, detergent, a tumble dryer or the cost of heating water elsewhere. It also does not mean every household doing five washes will pay that amount.
What else changes the cost?
Water and detergent
The label gives water use per Eco cycle, but your charge depends on your water billing. Detergent cost depends on the product and dose. Add these separately if you want a whole-laundry estimate rather than an electricity-only one.
Programme and load
A high-temperature wash may use more energy than the label cycle; a short programme is not automatically the cheapest. Check its load limit, too. Avoid overfilling the drum, but do not assume a half-empty large machine is automatically efficient. Follow the garment labels and machine instructions.
Your tariff
The unit rate on your bill is the useful price for this calculation. A time-of-use tariff may have different rates at different times; use the rate that applies when the machine runs. Do not run a machine unattended overnight just to chase a cheaper rate if that does not fit the manufacturer’s guidance or your household routine.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate electricity cost per wash?
Divide the energy label’s kWh per 100 Eco 40–60 cycles by 100, then multiply by the electricity unit price you pay per kWh. This estimates that labelled programme, not every wash.
Does a quick wash always cost less?
No. Programme length alone does not tell you electricity or water use. Compare the machine’s programme information or a reliable measurement for the cycle you actually use.
Does the washing machine energy label include water and detergent cost?
No. The kWh figure measures electricity use for the standard labelled programme. The label also reports water use per cycle, but you need your own water charge; detergent is separate.
Will a larger drum always cost more to run?
Not necessarily per useful kilogram of laundry. Compare models and programme load limits, then use the machine efficiently without overloading it. A large drum is not a reason to wash tiny loads unnecessarily.
