Water and Electricity Usage in Washers
ENERGY STAR states that on average, an ENERGY STAR certified washer uses 13 gallons (49.2L) of water per load, compared to the 23 gallons (87.1L) used by a standard machine.
Conventional top-loading washing machines with center post agitators use about 40 gallons of water per load. Compare that to front-loading machines that use somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 gallons.
According to Currys, 90% of a washing machine’s energy consumption comes from heating up the water for washing.
Efficiency Tips for Washers
Using your washing machine’s eco mode can be a really useful way to cut your running costs.
Make sure to remove lint buildup often. Lint accumulation within your washer can not only cause it to overheat or not clean as well as it should, but also force it to use more water and electricity to get the job done.
Cost Analysis and Considerations
Based on eight loads of laundry per week, the average monthly cost to do laundry is $166.72. Also know, a dryer cycle is 2.25 kWh.
Washing machines cost $250-$2050, dryers $200-$1750. Top-loaders over 3 cubic feet with multiple temperatures/cycles and plastic tub cost $275-$450. Running a washer yearly is $11.21, weekly $1.60. If a washer/dryer built to last 1500 cycles then each use costs $0.24. Depending on type, capacity and efficiency, running a home washer yearly costs $35-$100 for three weekly loads.