Washers and dryers are power hungry appliances. Despite this, few people are aware of just how much they cost. With energy prices rising across the country, it’s worth answering the question: how much electricity does a washer and dryer use?
How Much Electricity Does a Washing Machine Use?
Depending on the model, washing machines use 400 ‒ 1,400 watts per hour. The average cycle is 30 ‒ 45 minutes, which comes to around 200 – 1,050 watts per load. However, electric companies don’t charge by watts but kilowatts. So, to find out how much a wash cycle costs, divide the number of watts by 1,000 and multiply by the electricity price in your state. For instance, to work out the energy costs of a large washing machine in New York:
- 1,050/1000 = 1.05 kW
- 1.05 * $0.241 = $0.25
Pennsylvania currently charges $0.1051 per kilowatt hour. New Jersey charges $0.1727. And Maryland charges $0.1421. Applying the same formula, an average wash cycle in these states costs, at most:
- Pennsylvania = $0.11
- New Jersey = $0.18
- Maryland = $0.15
Based on these figures, it’s obvious every household can afford to run a single load of laundry. However, costs add up. New Yorkers who run two loads a week pay up to $26 per year; $39 if they run three.
How much Electricity Does a Dryer Use?
It takes more energy to dry clothes than to wash them. Depending on the model, dryers consume 1,800 ‒ 5,000 watts, though most use around 3,000. They also run longer. The average dry cycle is 45 ‒ 60 minutes, though heavy loads require as much as 90 minutes. That means the average homeowner uses 2,250 ‒ 3,000 watts per cycle. However, for large households, it might be as high as 4,500. How much does that cost?
- New York = $0.56 ‒ $1.13
- Pennsylvania = $0.23 ‒ $0.47
- New Jersey = $0.38 ‒ $0.78
- Maryland = $0.32 ‒ $0.64
Once again, the costs are low, but they add up. Pennsylvanians who run two loads a week could spend up to $48.88 a year drying their clothes. New Yorkers could spend up to $117.52.
How to Save Money with Your Washer and Dryer
Paying for a washer and dryer can be expensive, especially on top of your other household appliances, but there are ways to mitigate their costs.
- Purchase an Energy Star Washer and Dryer. Energy star appliances are the most efficient on the market, with electricity requirements significantly lower than any other model. Look for the Energy Star logo at your appliance store.
- Run Your Washer and Dryer During Off Peak Hours. Electricity prices vary throughout the day. They’re lowest in the morning and at night, when most people are asleep or at work. Electric companies refer to these times as “off-peak.”
- Use Cold Water. Heating water takes a lot of energy. In fact, most of the electricity used washing clothes isn’t consumed by the washer itself, but by your water heater. Cold water eliminates stains and dirt just as effectively, but at a fraction of the cost.
- Run Full Loads. Your washer and dryer use the same amount of electricity whether they’re empty or full. So never run a load unless you can fill the entire drum.
- Clean Your Lint Trap. Dirty lint traps block air flow. The harder dryer fans work to circulate air, the more electricity they consume. Clear your lint trap before every load.
- Dry Clothes in the Sun. Drying clothes on a clothesline or drying rack is an easy way to save money. Though not a practical solution for every time of year, it saves a lot of money in summer, when electricity prices are already high.
Saving Money with Agway
Agway prices are as low as possible because we connect customers to the cheapest and most efficient energy producers on the market. And because we know how expensive it can be to maintain your electrical systems, we enroll every customer in our EnergyGuardTM program.
EnergyGuardTM protects you against unexpected repairs. Instead of paying out of pocket when your furnace, air conditioning, or wiring breaks down, you call us. We not only fix the problem; we cover parts and labor as well. You don’t even pay a service fee. Save money by signing up today!
