If your electricity bill has gone through the roof lately, you might be trying to determine the culprit. Could it be the washing machine? It undoubtedly makes it much easier to chuck your dirty laundry in the washing machine rather than washing everything by hand, but if every penny counts, it’s worth knowing how you can cut corners.
We spoke to an expert to determine how much the device will set you back and what you could do to save money.
Deborah is a Home Energy Specialist and PR Manager at SolarReviews.com, a website offering unbiased consumer reviews of solar companies and expert advice, including guides on costs and reviews. She specializes in writing about energy savings, industry data, and other home improvements.
How much energy does a washing machine use?
Deborah Foley from Solarreviews.com is an energy specialist who regularly reviews industry data and energy savings. She says, “If you have a washing machine in your home, you need electricity. The energy necessary will be similar to that of inductive load appliances such as a dishwasher.”
Deborah advises: “The average EnergyStar-certified residential washing machine uses 136 kWh of energy per year.” It turns out it’s one function that clocks up the bill. She says, "It’s important to note that about 90% of the energy a washing machine uses comes from hot water heating.”
How to cut down on costs?
It’s worth examining the age of your device. If it’s been gathering dust for a while or has seen better days if you’ve owned it for many years, updating to a newer model could cost you less in the long term despite the initial outlay of purchasing a new one.
Deborah says, “While simply purchasing a newer, more efficient washing machine model can cut down on your electric bills, some additional ways to save can be through reducing the number of items crammed in the machine at one time and the time of day in which you use your machine.” Double-check with your energy supplier about the cheapest time to use electricity, and don’t be tempted to do all the washing in one go.
“Additionally, running your washer in the evening can save you money on electricity bills, depending on your rate schedule. Energy is often less expensive at night due to peak daily use. If you have an energy plan that utilizes time-of-use rates, you can benefit by taking advantage of off-peak rates and paying less by shifting your energy usage to off-peak hours. On-peak and off-peak timeframes may vary depending on your utility, but you can easily find those hours on your local utility’s website.”
Don’t be tempted to overload
“Many newer models of washing machines come with sensing technology,” says Deborah. “By filling your machine with fewer items, you can use less water, which helps reduce the amount of heat necessary to run the load. This also helps to ensure that your clothes are cleaner as soaps, dirt, and grime are rinsed more thoroughly. This reduces build-up within your machine, helping to lengthen the lifespan of your washer.” All of these actions help to reduce costs collectively.
Is washing with cold water better?
It can be tempting to think that running the machine at the hottest temperature equals cleaning clothes. Not so, says Deborah: “Depending on your clothing’s material, washing your clothes in cold water as much as possible helps reduce energy consumption from water heating. Specific cold water-safe detergents are available to ensure your clothes aren’t affected.”
What to look for if you are purchasing a new machine?
If you’re in the market for a new washing machine, Deborah has some ideas for what you should look for to make energy use less. “With many models and styles out on the market today, I would recommend that you start by looking at the energy facts label on the machine in order to get a better understanding of how much energy you can expect to use with each machine.”
She adds, “Newer appliances are often more energy efficient than older appliances, and looking for labels with EnergyStar certification is a great option for using less energy. If you are unsure whether or not you need to replace your washing machine, a good rule of thumb is to replace it every 10 years.”
Products are allocated an EnergyStar rating based on how energy efficient they are. The scale is usually from 1-100, and the higher the number the more efficient the item is.
