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What The Washing Machine Cost Calculator Works Out
- Cost per wash: kilowatt-hours per cycle x the electricity rate (defaults to the current Ofgem price cap unit rate), plus about 50 litres of metered water at a combined supply-and-sewerage rate of GBP 3.70 per m3. A typical 40 degree cycle uses about 0.8 kWh and 50 litres, roughly 21p of power and 19p of water, around 40p a wash.
- Per month and per year: the per-wash cost x washes per week x 4.33 or x 52. A four-wash household spends about GBP 85 a year before detergent.
- Energy per cycle: nearly all the energy heats the water, so the temperature dial is the cost control. A 30 degree or eco cycle drops the power by a third or more and modern detergents genuinely clean at 30; keep the hot washes for bedding, towels and the occasional machine-cleaning run. Eco cycles run longer yet cost less because they heat less water more slowly.
- Water supply, litres and rate (advanced): switch to unmetered to zero the water line (one of the few reasons the meter decision cuts both ways), or edit the litres per cycle (energy labels quote it) and your water company's combined rate per cubic metre.
- Detergent and all-in figures (advanced): detergent at 15p to 25p a dose quietly rivals the electricity. Supermarket own-brand and correct dosing (less in soft water) are a bigger saving than any temperature tweak.
- Saving from switching cycle (advanced): the annual difference between your current cycle and another, at the same number of washes. Moving four 40 degree washes a week to eco 30 saves about GBP 16 a year at the current price cap unit rate.
- Saving from off-peak washing (advanced): the share of washes run on a delay-start timer at a cheaper overnight rate. Economy 7 and EV tariffs reward this handsomely.
- Saving from fuller loads (advanced): half loads use most of the water and energy of full ones, so pairing two half loads into one saves nearly a whole wash each time. This is the machine's most expensive habit and the full-load routine dominates its lifetime bill.
- Water used per year (advanced): litres per cycle x washes a year, in cubic metres, with the metered cost. A faster spin is nearly free electricity-wise and leaves less water for the tumble dryer to remove.