What Is the Electricity and Water Consumption of Your Washing Machine?

According to ADEME (France’s Agency for Ecological Transition), laundry washing and drying account for 6.4% of household electricity bills. This is a relatively significant share of household energy consumption.

Do you want to understand your washing machine’s consumption? This is a smart step, as this appliance can be quite energy- and water-intensive. By better managing its usage, you can reduce your bills. To estimate how much electricity and water your washing machine consumes, follow this guide.

What is the average consumption of a washing machine?

A washing machine uses both water and electricity to operate. On average, a French household runs 183 wash cycles per year(1). Given that one wash cycle uses around 50 litres of water and requires 1 kWh of electricity, operating a washing machine throughout the year represents a significant cost on both water and energy bills.

You may also be interested in this article: household appliances – what is their impact on energy consumption?

Average electricity consumption of a washing machine

A study conducted by ADEME(2) shows that in France, a washing machine consumes on average 191 kWh per year, or 16 kWh per month and 0.5 kWh per day.

Average water consumption of a washing machine

A washing machine also consumes a significant amount of water, which can impact household bills. Today, one wash cycle is estimated to use around 50 litres of water (compared to 100 litres in the past)(3).

What factors influence washing machine consumption?

The figures above are averages. Several factors can significantly affect a washing machine’s consumption.

Energy efficiency rating

First, the performance of the appliance plays a major role. To assess it, you should look at its energy label.

Energy labels help consumers identify the most energy-intensive washing machines using a rating system from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

Here are three examples of electricity consumption based on energy classes (A being the most efficient and G the most energy-intensive):

Water temperature

Another key factor affecting energy and water consumption is wash temperature. Higher temperatures are often used for heavily soiled laundry, but these programmes consume significantly more energy.

Conversely, washing at low temperatures or even cold cycles helps reduce electricity consumption.

As ADEME states: “washing laundry at 30°C uses three times less energy than washing at 90°C and twice less than at 60°C.”

Wash cycle speed

Cycle speed also influences consumption. Faster wash cycles require water to be heated more quickly, which is energy-intensive.

However, slower cycles increase overall duration, which also consumes energy. The key is to find the right balance between cycle speed and duration.

How to calculate your washing machine’s consumption

Knowing average consumption helps estimate the impact of your washing machine on your energy bill. But how can you calculate it more precisely?

Calculating electricity consumption

The first step is to check your appliance’s energy label. Manufacturers now indicate energy consumption per 100 cycles. You can also refer to the user manual, which often provides kWh per cycle.

This is the most reliable method. Simply multiply consumption per cycle by the number of cycles over a given period.

For example, if you run 260 washes per year (5 cycles per week) with a machine consuming 60 kWh per 100 cycles, your annual consumption is: 0.6 × 260 = 156 kWh per year.

If you do not know consumption per cycle, you can estimate it using the general electricity consumption formula:

• (number of hours × number of days or weeks × power in watts) / 1,000

For example, a 2,200 W washing machine used for 5 cycles of 1.5 hours per week (7.5 hours total):

• (2,200 × 7.5 × 52) / 1,000 = 858 kWh

However, this figure is overestimated because it assumes the machine runs at full power continuously. In reality, power varies throughout the cycle. That is why manufacturer data is always more accurate.

To calculate cost, multiply consumption by your electricity price per kWh (found on your bill, and possibly variable under peak/off-peak tariffs).

Calculating water consumption

Water consumption is also indicated on the energy label. It is usually based on a cotton 60°C cycle at full load(4), making it the most reliable reference.

If your machine is older or lacks a label, consumption typically ranges between 40 and 80 litres per cycle. Use higher values (65–70 L) for older large machines and lower values (45–50 L) for smaller ones.

To estimate annual consumption:

water per cycle × 52 weeks × number of weekly cycles

For example:

• 55 × 52 × 5 = 14,300 litres per year

To estimate cost, multiply by the average price of water, around €0.0042 per litre(5), giving:

• 14,300 × 0.0042 = €60.06 per year

How to reduce washing machine consumption

Since laundry represents a significant share of energy bills, several actions can help reduce costs.

Monitor your electricity consumption

Understanding your consumption is key. Studies show that monitoring energy use can reduce consumption by up to 23%(7). The more aware you are, the less you consume.

ENGIE offers tools such as Ma Conso and Ma Conso+, which allow you to track your energy usage daily or in real time.

Use off-peak hours

If your machine has a delayed start function, you can run cycles during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper.

Invest in an energy-efficient washing machine

A higher-quality appliance may be more expensive initially but can quickly become cost-effective thanks to lower energy and water consumption.

Choose the right model for your needs

Oversized machines often lead to unnecessary consumption. A 6 kg washing machine is usually sufficient for a household of 2 to 3 people.

Washer-dryers should also be used carefully, as drying is particularly energy-intensive and often limited to 50–60% of washing capacity.

Adopt eco-friendly habits

Simple habits can reduce your bill:

• avoid pre-wash cycles;

• wash at 30°C whenever possible;

• fill the drum before starting a cycle;

• use eco or short programmes;

• clean filters and seals regularly;

• air-dry clothes instead of using a dryer;

• turn off the machine after use.