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Page last updated on 19th June 2025

A mother and child moving clothes between a laundry basket and a washing machine.

Washing machine energy saving tips

Have you ever wondered, “how much electricity does a washing machine use per hour?” While a single washing machine cycle may not seem significant, washing machine running costs can add up over time, increasing your energy bills.

Understanding how much electricity a washing machine uses, as well as the cheapest time of day to use a washing machine, can help you make smarter choices and save money and energy.

What's on this page?

In this guide, we’ll break down the running costs of your washing machine and offer washing machine energy-saving tips to help you save money while keeping your clothes clean.

Washing machine running costs
Cheapest time to use a washing machine
Using the washing machine less often
Lower wash temperatures
Keeping on top of washing machine maintenance
Choose an energy efficient model

How much does a washing machine cost to run?

If you're wondering “how much does a washing machine cost to run?” you first need to ask “how much electricity does a washing machine consume?”.

The cost of running your washing machine will depend on the model, how long you run it for, and the price you pay per unit of electricity. According to National Energy Action, on average, a typical washing machine has an energy rating between 1,000 – 2,400W. You can use your washing machine’s energy rating, and the unit rate you pay for electricity, to work out how much your washing machine costs to run, per hour. For the full formula for this calculation, check out National Energy Action’s page on electrical consumption around the home.

According to Energy Saving Trust, typically, washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers make up around 14% of an energy bill.

As one of the most frequently used appliances in the home, we‘ve put together a list of washing machine energy-saving tips to help you learn how to save electricity with your washing machine. By making these adjustments, you can ensure your machine is used in the most energy- and cost-efficient way.

How to save energy with a washing machine

Try to use your machine during off-peak times

Curious to know what’s the cheapest time to use a washing machine or the best time to put your washing machine on? Unless you’re on a time-of-use tariff, the price you pay for the electricity to run your washing machine will be the same at any time of day.

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With time-of-use tariffs, energy costs vary depending on the time of day. For example, electricity could be cheaper during off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning. And during peak times when demand is higher – like when most people are getting ready for work or cooking dinner – electricity could be more expensive. Exact rates and off-peak timings will vary depending on your energy provider and the specific tariff.

While they are becoming more available, time-of-use tariffs aren’t available to all customers or from all energy suppliers. If you are considering a time-of-use tariff, check with your supplier to see if it’s an option for you.

Time-of-use tariffs are optional and can help you save money on your energy bills. So, if you’re wondering when the best time to do washing to save electricity is, they might be a good option to consider. But remember, it is never a good idea to leave an appliance running unattended. So only use your washing machine and similar appliances when someone will be home to keep an eye out on them.

To qualify for a new time-of-use tariff, you’ll need to get a smart meter. With a smart meter, your energy supplier can receive half-hourly readings of your electricity use, enabling them to charge different rates for different times of day.

For more information on time-of-use tariffs and their impact on your energy bills, check out our guide here.

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Use your machine less often, where possible

We’ve looked at the cheapest time of day to use the washing machine and the best time to do washing to save electricity. But have you ever considered how your load might be contributing to your energy bills?

A person's hand adjusting the settings on a washing machine.

Running several half loads not only uses more energy but also typically uses more water. Try to use the washing machine only with full loads, following your appliance’s recommended capacity to ensure it works efficiently.

It’s also worth thinking about whether your clothes need to be washed so soon after you’ve worn them. If you’ve only worn a pair of jeans or a jumper for a couple of hours, wearing them a few more times before washing could save energy and help keep your clothes looking newer for longer.

Lower your wash temperature

Washing your clothes at high temperatures consumes more energy and might even damage your clothes. By washing your clothes at lower temperatures, you can save up to 60% of the energy used to heat water during laundry. Making small changes, such as washing your clothes at 30°C or using eco-cycles (if your washing machine has one) can help reduce your energy consumption.
Keep on top of machine maintenance

One of the simplest but most effective washing machine energy saving tips is to take better care of your machine. While sometimes a replacement may be necessary, often your machine just needs a little TLC. Here are some steps you can take to improve your washing machine’s efficiency:

Avoid overloading the drum. While full loads are better than half loads, an excessively full load will require more work to wash, resulting in increased energy and water usage. Follow the recommended capacity outlined in your machine’s manufacturer’s guide.
Regularly clean the filter. A dirty or clogged filter can negatively impact the efficiency of your wash cycle, leading to poor cleaning, water waste, and higher energy consumption.
Use descaling solutions to reduce limescale buildup, which could be affecting your machine’s efficiency.

Choose an energy-efficient model

One option for how to save energy with a washing machine is to invest in an energy-efficient model. Appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers are graded with an energy efficiency rating. This grading system is based on the amount of energy their washing machine uses per 100 washes. You can find the energy efficiency rating of your washing machine on a label on the side of your appliance.

Energy rating scales range from A to G*, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least. For those wondering how to save electricity with their washing machine, by investing in A-rated models, you’ll consume less energy, reducing both your energy bills and your environmental impact.

Fortunately, A-rated washing machines are becoming increasingly common, so be sure to check the energy efficiency rating before making your next purchase.

For more washing machine energy-saving tips, check out Energy Saving Trust’s guide to saving energy while using a washing machine. Energy Saving Trust are an independent and trusted voice on energy efficiency and clean energy solutions.

By understanding how much electricity a washing machine consumes and the best time to use the washing machine, you can help your household cut down on energy bills and do your part to protect our planet.