Introduction – Electricity Used By Washer And Dryer
[Update: 01/11/2024 we updated costs by using the latest average electricity rates]
An average washer uses 128 kWh per year and an average electric dryer uses 580 kWh per year. But how much does this electricity cost?
Most readers are interested in taking action on reducing washer and dryer energy usage. Holistically speaking, the energy use is a small part of a bigger picture of laundry sustainability.
We know from statistics that washers and dryers use 5% of a home’s energy. Here we give exact calculation of the cost so you can understand and begin to manage these costs.
Electricity Used In kWh (2024)
| kWh Cost (Per Load) | kWh Cost (Per Month) | kWh Cost (Per Year) | |
| Washer | 0.43 kWh | 10.7 kWh | 128 kWh |
| Dryer | 2.00 kWh | 48.3 kWh | 580 kWh |
Electricity Used In Dollars (2024)
| | kWh / Cost (Per Load) | kWh / Cost (Per Month) | kWh / Cost (Per Year) |
| Washer | $0.07 | $1.89 | $21.76 |
| Dryer | $0.34 | $8.21 | $98.60 |
In this table is the average electricity used by a washer and dryer. We analyzed hundreds of washers and dryers.
The average electricity is expressed in terms of per load, per month and per year usage.
For each usage figure in kilowatt hours (kWh) we also present the cost of electricity by assuming the average cost over the US.
As of mid-2023 the average cost of electricity in the US is $0.15 as we had predicted would happen due to higher inflation at the end of 2022 and 2023.
Living in Europe will mean greater costs because electricity is more expensive and Europe has been more affected by the energy crunch.
The cost since early 2023 has risen by about 34%!
Calculating How Much Electricity A Washer Uses
We will explain here how we got these numbers.
We downloaded information from Energystar on 303 electric washers (yes, that many!).
The annual energy use ranged from 50 kWh / year to 300 kWh / year with an average of 128 kWh / year.
There are two reasons for the variation in energy use.
One of them is efficiency – the more efficient washer will use less energy for a given load. The other reason is the size of the washer. A larger washer will use more energy for a given efficiency.
When we looked at the range of sizes which spanned 1.9 cu ft to 6.2 cu ft. The average is 4.2 cu ft. According to Energystar, the way the energy use is computed is assuming that there are 5.7 loads per week or about 295 loads per year.
Using these figures we’ll be able to compute the electricity used per load, per month, and per year. We’ll also be able to estimate the cost of running the washer using average electricity costs.
Calculating How Much Electricity A Dryer Uses
Similar to above, we downloaded information from Energystar on 346 electric dryers, ignoring the remaining 144 natural gas dryers.
The annual energy use ranged from 125 kWh / year to 600 kWh / year.
The average energy use is 580 kWh / year.
The capacity ranged from 4 cu ft to 9.2 cu ft with the average capacity at 7.1 cu ft. According to Energystar, the energy use reported assumes 5.4 loads per week or 283 loads per year.
Combining that information, we end up with the above costs.
Electricity Costs For Washers and Dryers Can Be Reduced
To reduce electricity costs, look for Energy Star-rated appliances and keep loads small, so the machine doesn’t have to run as long.
Also, consider air-drying your laundry instead of using the dryer whenever possible.
We can take steps to reduce electricity consumption when using these appliances, such as washing with cold water, using shorter wash cycles, and cleaning the lint filter regularly.
With some preparation and knowledge about our appliances, we can save money on utility bills and reduce our environmental impact.
Size is important when purchasing a washer and dryer because it determines how much clothing you can fit in one load and how much space the unit will take up in your home or apartment.
Most machines come in standard sizes, so it’s easy to find something that fits most living spaces.
These appliances make it easier to do laundry more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Energy efficiency is important because it impacts how much you spend on electricity each month.
Look for appliances with an Energy Star rating that indicates they are energy efficient and will save you money in the long run.
Tips To Reduce Your Washer And Dryer’s Energy Consumption
You can reduce your washer and dryer’s energy consumption by washing with cold water, using shorter wash cycles, and cleaning the lint filter often.
Tip 1. Look for Energy Star
Energy Star-rated washers and dryers are an excellent way to reduce energy consumption. Energy Star-certified appliances have a 20-50% greater efficiency than standard counterparts, with
Energy Star-rated washers capable of cycling through the same clothes at higher water temperatures for up to 50% shorter wash times and Energy Star-rated dryers reducing drying time by 10%-50%.
Energy Star is a program that was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to promote energy efficiency.
Products that earn the Energy Star label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. This label indicates that the product is more energy-efficient than the minimum federal standard.
However, the Energy Star label is not a requirement. It’s a voluntary program and manufacturers can choose whether or not to have their products certified.
Therefore, a product without the Energy Star label is not necessarily less energy-efficient.
Tip 2. Use Ventless Dryers
Ventless dryers are becoming increasingly popular as they require no external venting or ducts, saving on energy consumption.
Ventless dryers use heat-pump technology to recycle hot air within the machine, meaning less energy is used to run each cycle.
Tip 3. Use High-Efficiency Detergents
High-efficiency detergents (HE) are specially formulated and contain fewer suds than conventional detergents.
HE detergents are especially effective in high-efficiency washers, which need less water and don’t require a separate rinse cycle as traditional washers do.
This means lower energy costs for running the machine and time saved from not having to wait for a longer wash cycle.
Tip 4. Dry Full Loads
Instead of running several small loads, try to wait until you have a full load to run. This will help you save energy and water by not having to start the machine multiple times.
It’s also important to ensure that each load is balanced properly for the dryer to work efficiently.
Tip 5. Get Moisture-Sensing
Many dryers come with a moisture-sensing feature that helps determine when clothes are dry and stops the cycle automatically.
This is an energy-efficient feature to look for as it prevents over-drying, meaning you don’t have to run the machine longer than necessary.
Tip 6. Clean The Dryer Lint Filter
Finally, clean the lint filter before and after each load. A dirty lint filter causes clothes to take longer to dry, restricting airflow from going into and out of the dryer.
Not only can this lead to increased energy costs, but also faster wear-and-tear on the machine. These are just some tips to help reduce your washer and dryer’s energy consumption.
By taking small steps such as these, you can save money on electricity bills and reduce your environmental impact simultaneously.
Important Factors When Purchasing A Washer Or Dryer
There are several important factors to consider when you are in the market for a new washer and dryer.
First, you should determine your budget and the type of appliance that best fits within your price range. Is space at a premium? Then you might want to opt for stackable units.
Are certain fabrics particularly susceptible to damage when washed or dried with heat? You can purchase high-efficiency (HE) models that use less water and energy while providing effective cleaning and drying results.
Consider features like steam cycles that help reduce wrinkles in items easily prone to wrinkling and accompanying apps for remote monitoring capabilities and cycle customizing options.
Lastly, think about the laundry room environment – is it hot or cold year-round, what size is it, and how close is a power source located – so you can choose an appliance that will work well with those conditions.
Conclusions
As you can see, this is a striking difference between how much power each appliance consumes.
When replacing or buying new washers and dryers for your home, be sure to consider how energy efficient the models are and check how much electricity each appliance uses to save money on your utility bills.
