Laundry Energy Cost Calculator

Doing the laundry does not need to make your electricity bill go up. This guide tells you the steps to figure out the energy cost of washing and drying your clothes. You will see  ranges for different temperatures and machine types. The guide helps you choose the right detergent, cycle, spin speed, and drying method to lower costs but still care for delicate fabrics like wool or linen. There are easy formulas and tables for you to work out your cost for each load, each week, and over the course of a year. You can also compare energy prices to check if a lower unit rate means more savings on your laundry.

Tip: Keep your latest price for each kWh close by. If you are on TOU with peak hours and off-peak hours, write down both prices.

How do you calculate the cost of a wash or dry?

The math is simple and works for any appliance.

• Power (kW) is Watts divided by 1,000.
• Energy used in kWh is Power in kW times the amount of time in hours.
• Cost in pounds is Energy used in kWh times the unit rate, which you get by dividing pence per kWh by 100.

Example: A washer uses about 0.7 kWh for a 40°C wash. If your tariff is 28p for each kWh, then one wash cycle costs 0.7 times £0.28. That comes out to £0.20 each time you use the wash cycle. A dryer, like a condenser or vented dryer, will often cost more to use for drying than the washing step with the washer.

If you still feel unhappy about your bill after you try to get the most out of laundry, it might be a good idea to compare energy prices. You can switch to another plan to save money.

What does a wash cycle actually use (kWh) at different temperatures?

Lower temperatures often lead to less electricity use. This is true if your machine heats its own water. The temperature, how big the load is, and how long the cycle runs all have an impact on energy consumption.

Typical energy use by temperature (per load)

• Delicate fabrics, such as wool, need cold water or washing at 30°C. A gentle wash cycle is best for them.
• Bedding and linen can handle up to 60°C, but you have to read labels to be sure.
• The detergent you use is very important. Some detergents work better in cold water and shorter wash cycles.

Spin speed vs energy consumption

Spinning the clothes in the washing machine uses less energy than heating water. A higher spin speed takes out more water from the clothes. This will save energy when you use the dryer later on. If you use a dryer, try to use a fast spin setting if your fabric can handle it. This helps lower the total kWh used.

Which dryer uses less electricity — and is a drying rack worth it?

Drying uses up most of the energy when you do laundry. A simple look at energy costs can show this.

Dryer energy comparison (per full load)

• A heat pump dryer that works with a high final spin will often be the least expensive way to dry clothes if you use power for it.
• A drying rack does not need any electricity, but if you use it inside and feel more moisture in the air, you may want a dehumidifier to help keep your walls and wardrobes safe.

How much does laundry cost under different electricity prices?

Use the tables to figure out about your own costs. Change the unit rate to match your tariff. Or, you can compare energy prices to see if a lower unit rate makes a bigger difference than changing an appliance.

Example costs: one wash + one dry

Assumptions per load:

• A cold wash uses 0.4 kWh.
• A wash at 40°C uses 0.8 kWh.
• A heat pump dry needs 1.6 kWh.
• A vented dry uses 2.8 kWh.
• A condenser dry needs 3.6 kWh.

Cost per load at three typical unit rates

Weekly, monthly, and annual estimates

Let’s see what happens over time when a family does about 5 loads each week. They use a 40°C wash with heat pump dry for every load. Each load uses 2.4 kWh. You can use your own numbers if you like.

If you feel like these totals are high, there are two things that can quickly make a big difference:

1. Look for and compare energy prices. If you find a better offer, you can switch to a unit rate that costs less.
2. Try to keep the dryer kWh low. You can spin clothes at a high speed, use a heat pump dryer, or pick a drying rack with good ventilation.

Stop Overpaying – Switch Your Energy in Minutes

Check your current tariff and compare top energy deals to see how much you could cut from your next bill.

Compare top energy deals

Does cold water clean as well as warm water?

It depends on the detergent and the stain:

• A lot of new bio detergents work in cold water. You can use them at 20–30°C. They are good for everyday washing.
• Oily stains often be better cleaned with warm water at about 40°C. You also need the right detergent for these stains.
• If you want the washing to be more clean, like with bedding, towels, or cloth nappies, it is best to use higher temperatures. Use about 60°C. Still, your choice of cycle and detergent also matter.

Best practice by fabric and soil

Detergent and temperature setting

• Pick a detergent that works well with the water temperature you use most often.
• If you have sensitive skin, it is good to choose non-bio. If stain removal is important, bio can work better when you wash with lower water temperature.

Spin speed, rinse count, and “less water vs less electricity”

• A higher final spin (as much as the machine allows) takes out more water. This means your dryer will use less electricity.
• Extra rinse cycles use more water and a bit more electricity. These cycles might help if you have sensitive skin. You should pick what matters most to you—your comfort or saving resources.
• “Eco” cycles use less water and less electricity. These cycles need a longer amount of time. This is so enzymes and low heat can work well while washing.

What about standby usage and placement?

• Modern washers and dryers in standby mode use very little power, often only a few watts. But, if you switch them off at the wall between doing your laundry, you can save some power over a year.
• Make sure your appliances have plenty of space to get air. If you put a condenser dryer close to a fridge or next to other things that do not like heat, it is not good. A build-up of heat means your dryer and appliances use more and more energy. This makes energy consumption go up.
• Try not to do laundry during the hottest part of the day in summer, especially if you use air conditioners. Running your dryer and washer when it’s hot will make you pay more on your electric bill at peak hours, and it will also add more heat inside your home.

Peak hours, TOU tariffs, and smart scheduling

If your plan has peak hours and times when it is cheaper or more expensive, this is called TOU windows.

• Run the wash cycle when power is cheaper, like during off-peak hours. Try to start the heating phase at those times too.
• Use the dryer when the rate is low. You can put clothes on a drying rack during the day, then finish drying with a short dryer cycle when it’s off-peak.
• You can use smart plugs or the machine’s delay timer to schedule these appliances. Always read and follow safety tips when you do this.

Laundry vs dishwasher — where are the bigger savings?

A quick look at your situation can help you know what is most important. The usual energy use for a dishwasher is about 0.7–1.2 kWh per eco cycle. This is often less than what you use for drying laundry. If you are thinking about what to make better first, drying is often the best way to save the most in your laundry room when it comes to energy use.

Quick wins that lower laundry energy use today

• Set the temperature lower if you are washing clothes that are not very dirty.
• Use a short wash cycle when you can. Save the heavy ones for things like bedding or towels.
• Make the spin speed as high as your fabric can take to help your dryer use less kWh.
• A heat pump dryer or a drying rack with good air is better for drying.
• It is best to wash a full load, but don’t put in too much. If you pack it too tight, things won’t rinse well. This can lead to more energy consumption and more water use if you have to wash again.
• Keep your machine working well. Clean out the filters, check the door seals, and make sure the drum is balanced.
• If your electricity prices feel high compared to what your friends or family pay, compare energy prices. What you pay per unit is a lot more important than small changes in your cycle.

Laundry energy cost calculator — plug in your numbers

Use this framework with the numbers from your manual or from a plug-in energy monitor.

Step 1: Washer

Step 2: Dryer (or alternative)

Step 3: Your totals

Now check your numbers to see if the costs feel right. If the costs are still high, it may be a good idea to compare energy prices. Sometimes a tariff switch can save you more money than just changing how you use your appliances.

Do detergents and stains change the energy math?

Yes — washing with cold water or warm water more often gets things cleaner even at lower temperatures.

• Many detergents have enzymes that work best at 30–40°C. This will help get stains out without needing higher temperatures.
• If you pre-treat a stain, you can use a wash cycle that needs less energy.
• For wool and delicate fabrics, it’s best to use a low temperature and gentle wash. This will help keep the fibres safe.

Compare Energy Prices & Lock in a Better Deal Today

See fixed and variable tariffs from trusted UK suppliers and choose the one that suits your home and budget.

Compare Better Deal

Safety and care reminders

• Always read and follow the care labels on clothes, and this is extra important for delicate fabrics, wool, and clothes for sports.
• Clean the lint filter in the dryer every time after a load. A blocked filter can get in the way of airflow. This makes energy usage go up and may even cause a fire.
• Make sure the area around the dryer is clear so that air can move. When there’s not enough ventilation, energy costs can go up.
• Only run drying cycles when you are not at home if your manufacturer says it is safe to do so and you feel sure about electrical safety.

FAQs About Laundry Energy Costs and Washing/Drying