Watts to kWh
kWh = (W ÷ 1,000) × hours × load factor. Multiply kWh by your electricity price to estimate energy cost.
🧺 Worked example
How much electricity does a washing machine use?
Record programme and temperature with each reading. Replace example inputs with your own usage pattern.
1.05 kWhper day of use
6.30 €per month at 0.20 €/kWh
Worked example
2100 W × 1 h/day × 50 % load factor × 30 days.
31.50 kWh/month · 75.60 €/year
This is an energy-only estimate. Your bill can also include standing charges, taxes and other household consumption.
Typical reference range
Use the label, manual or manufacturer data for your exact model whenever possible.
| Type or situation | Indicative reference |
|---|---|
| Efficient eco cycle | ≈0.4–0.7 kWh/cycle |
| Typical warm wash | ≈0.6–1.0 kWh/cycle |
| Hot / intensive cycle | ≈1.0–2.0+ kWh/cycle |
What changes the result?
Rated watts are only one part of the calculation.
Measure when possible
Thermostats, compressors, inverter control and programmes can make real consumption lower or higher than a simple maximum-power estimate.
Practical checks
- Use the energy label or kWh per cycle where available.
- Lower wash temperatures usually reduce energy used for heating water.
- Run fuller loads within the manufacturer limit.
Quick answer
Washing machine electricity consumption: watts, cycles and kWh
Washing machine electricity consumption changes with cycle temperature, duration, load and the machine’s actual input power. For a useful estimate, use the energy figure for the selected programme when available or measure a representative cycle instead of assuming maximum wattage for the whole wash.
For comparison, see tumble dryer electricity use and dishwasher electricity use.
Compare more appliances
Return to the appliance library or use the general electricity calculator for any device.
NEXT STEP
Keep exploring
Why kWh per cycle is usually more useful than watts
A washing machine does not draw its maximum electrical power for the whole programme. Most of the energy is used while heating water, while the motor and electronics use much less during other phases. That is why the programme's kWh per cycle is usually a better reference than the rated wattage alone.
Temperature, load and programme matter
Higher wash temperatures generally increase energy use because more electricity is needed to heat the water. Eco programmes may take longer but can still use less energy by heating more gently. A fuller load can also reduce energy per kilogram of laundry, provided the drum is not overloaded.
Compare several cycles, not one unusual wash
If you measure consumption, use a representative programme and repeat the check over several washes. For direct measurement guidance, see how to measure appliance consumption. You can compare the result with tumble dryer electricity use or test your own figures in the electricity calculator.
Editorial review: 11 Oct 2026. Use the energy label or manufacturer programme data when available.
BRICODATO · PRACTICAL CHECK
Check the real energy use of your washing machine
Heating the water often dominates electricity use, while drum movement draws power differently. For comparisons, use kWh per programme cycle, not heater nameplate watts multiplied by cycle duration. If the energy label lists kWh per 100 cycles, divide by 100 first.
Checklist to reproduce the comparison
- Record programme and temperature with each reading.
- Compare similar loads rather than assuming half a load uses half the energy.
- Multiply cycle kWh by actual monthly wash count.
The figures elsewhere on this page are illustrative assumptions, not a measured average for every model. Use the label, your actual cycle count and safely collected kWh readings.