What a load of laundry costs
Each load uses electricity for the washer, water, detergent and, if you use one, the dryer. Added up, laundry can easily cost a household several hundred dollars a year.
The formula
Cost per load = (washer kWh + dryer kWh) × price per kWh + gallons × water price ÷ 1,000 + detergent
The water price is the combined water and sewer rate shown on your utility bill, usually quoted per 1,000 gallons.
Worked example
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Washer energy | 0.5 kWh |
| Dryer energy | 3 kWh |
| Electricity | $0.18 per kWh |
| Water | 15 gallons at $15 per 1,000 gal |
| Detergent | $0.25 |
- Electricity: (0.5 + 3) × $0.18 = $0.63.
- Water: 15 × $15 ÷ 1,000 = $0.23.
- Detergent: $0.25.
- Cost per load: $1.10.
- At 6 loads a week: about $29 a month and $345 a year.
The dryer alone accounts for about half of the cost.
How to cut the bill
- Wash in cold water. Heating water is most of a washer’s energy use. Modern detergents clean well at low temperatures.
- Run full loads. A half load uses nearly as much energy and water as a full one.
- Spin faster. A high spin speed removes more water and shortens drying time.
- Line dry when you can. Even part of the year makes a difference.
- Clean the lint filter before each dryer load; a clogged filter lengthens drying time.
- Consider a heat pump dryer at replacement time. It uses roughly half the energy of a vented electric dryer.
Typical energy use
| Appliance | Energy per load |
|---|---|
| Front-load washer, cold | 0.1 to 0.3 kWh |
| Front-load washer, hot | 1 to 2 kWh |
| Electric vented dryer | 2.5 to 4 kWh |
| Heat pump dryer | 1 to 2 kWh |
Check the yellow EnergyGuide label or the manual for your model’s figures.
Laundromat comparison
A laundromat typically charges a few dollars per wash and per dry. Compare it with your cost per load plus the appliance’s purchase price spread over its life, often 10 to 13 years, to see whether owning a washer pays off for your household.