Washing Machine Running Cost Increase in the UK: What’s Behind the Rise?
If you’ve noticed your energy bills creeping up lately, you’re not alone, especially when it comes to doing the laundry. The washing machine running cost increase in the UK has become a real concern for many households, and it’s more than just a few extra pence per cycle.
Whether you’re trying to stay on top of your monthly budget or just want to understand what’s driving the rise, this guide breaks it all down for you. We’ll look at why laundry is costing more, how much things have changed, and what simple steps you can take to save money.
Why Washing Machine Running Costs Are Rising in the UK
If you’ve noticed the cost of washing machine creeping up, you’re not imagining it. Since 1 April 2025, electricity prices have gone up for most UK households, due to a 6.4% increase in the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets’ (Ofgem) energy price cap for the spring quarter (April–June).
The Ofgem energy price cap is reviewed every three months and sets the maximum price suppliers can charge per unit (kWh) of electricity, as well as the daily standing charge for households on standard variable tariffs. When that unit price rises, running appliances like your washing machine becomes more expensive.
According to Ofgem, the main reason was a surge in wholesale energy costs, the price suppliers pay for electricity before it reaches your home. These wholesale prices spiked over the winter because of:
Higher energy demand across Europe during the colder months, meaning more gas and electricity were used for heating.
Lower gas storage levels after winter, tightening supply and pushing up costs.
Global market pressures, such as volatile fuel prices and currency changes, making imported energy pricier.
While wholesale energy costs drove most of the increase, smaller rises in network maintenance, supplier expenses, and policy charges—such as funding renewable schemes and support for vulnerable households—also added to the overall hike.
In practical terms, the average UK electricity rate for Direct Debit customers was 24.86p per kWh in January–March. From April–June, it jumped to 27.03p per kWh. That may sound like a small change, but over time it adds up, and it’s exactly why each washing machine cycle now costs more than it did earlier in the year.
How Much Have Laundry Costs Increased?
So, what are the washing machine running costs in the UK after the rise, and how much extra are you paying? To calculate the electricity bill, let’s start with how much electricity your washing machine uses.
Every modern washing machine sold in the UK has an energy label, and on it you’ll see a figure like “kWh per 100 cycles (Eco 40–60)”. This shows how much electricity the machine uses over 100 standard washes.
To work out how much one wash costs, simply divide that number by 100 to get your machine’s kWh per cycle, then multiply by the electricity unit rate (in pence per kWh).
So, for example:
A washing machine rated at 50 kWh per 100 cycles uses 0.50 kWh per wash.
Multiply that by the April unit rate of 27.03p, and you get 13.5p per wash.
Of course, newer, more efficient washers tend to use less electricity thanks to improved motor technology, smarter sensors, and better drum designs. On the other hand, older or lower-rated models often draw significantly more power to get the same job done.
Here’s how typical energy usage stacks up across different machine types:
Machine type | Energy label | Energy use per wash |
Highly efficient (A-rated) | 40–48 kWh/100 cycles | 0.40–0.48 kWh |
Mid-range (B/C-rated) | 50–63 kWh/100 cycles | 0.50–0.63 kWh |
Less efficient / older | 90–134 kWh/100 cycles | 0.90–1.34 kWh |
Comparing costs before and after April
Here’s a simple breakdown to show how washing machine running costs changed when the April price cap kicked in:
Label (kWh/100 cycles) | Energy Use per Wash | Jan–Mar 2025 Cost per Wash | Apr–Jun 2025 Cost per Wash | Increase per Wash | Total Increase (Apr–Jun, 55 washes) |
40 | 0.40 kWh | 9.9p | 10.8p | +0.9p | £0.50 |
48 | 0.48 kWh | 11.9p | 13.0p | +1.1p | £0.61 |
50 | 0.50 kWh | 12.4p | 13.5p | +1.1p | £0.61 |
55 | 0.55 kWh | 13.7p | 14.9p | +1.2p | £0.66 |
63 | 0.63 kWh | 15.7p | 17.0p | +1.3p | £0.72 |
90 | 0.90 kWh | 22.4p | 24.3p | +1.9p | £1.05 |
134 | 1.34 kWh | 33.3p | 36.2p | +2.9p | £1.60 |
Note: Based on 55 washes per quarter (approx. 220 washes/year, the UK standard for energy labels)
If the April–June electricity rate stayed in place for a full year, your annual washing machine running cost would range from around £24 to £80, depending on how energy-efficient your model is. That’s just for electricity. Water and standing charges are separate.
How to Lower Laundry Running Costs
With April’s price-cap increase driving up electricity rates, every load of laundry now costs a bit more. The upside? Even small, consistent tweaks to how you do your washing can noticeably cut your energy costs. Here’s how to save on electricity bill:
Wash cooler when you can
For most loads, 30°C is more than enough to get clothes fresh and clean. Lowering the temperature to 30°C or below cuts the energy used to heat water, which is one of the biggest drivers of running costs. Save hotter cycles for bedding, towels, or hygiene washes when needed.
Make use of eco programmes
If your machine has an “Eco 40–60” programme, that’s the one designed to balance cleaning power with lower energy use. It often runs for longer, but uses less electricity overall, so don’t be put off by the timer.
Run full loads and avoid “just because” washes
Running your washing machine with just a small or half-full load uses almost the same amount of water and energy as a full load. To be more efficient, try combining smaller loads into one full wash. Skipping just one unnecessary wash each week could save you several pounds over the year.
Spin clothes well to speed up drying
A higher spin speed gets more water out of fabrics, which means less time in the tumble dryer, or none at all if you’re line-drying.
Dry for free where possible
Tumble dryers are among the most expensive appliances to run. Hanging clothes outside costs nothing and using an indoor rack with good ventilation can work just as well. Even halving your tumble-dryer use could save tens of pounds a year.
Time it right if you have a cheaper off-peak rate
Households on Economy 7 or smart/dynamic tariffs can pay less for electricity at certain times of day. If that’s you, shift laundry to those cheaper windows. Just check your tariff details first, as off-peak hours and rates vary.
Upgrade to a more energy-efficient model
If your washing machine is more than a decade old, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Look for A-rated or the lowest kWh per 100 cycles (Eco 40–60) figure you can find within your budget. This number tells you exactly how much electricity it uses for the standard cycle—lower means cheaper to run.
Consider a prepayment (pay-as-you-go) plan
If you want more control over your household spending, consider switching to prepaid electricity plans with prepayment meters. Knowing you have a set limit based on your top-up makes it easier to budget your energy use, like running the washing machine more efficiently, to make your credits last longer.
Track your usage with a smart meter
A smart meter and its in-home display (or your supplier’s app) show exactly your average electricity usage and what it’s costing. You can spot when costs spike, like during hot washes or tumble-drying, and make changes accordingly.
Think long-term with solar and storage
If your roof or outdoor space is suitable, solar panels can power your washer directly during the day. Running laundry in sunny late mornings or early afternoons makes the most of your own generated electricity.
Add a home battery, and you can store excess solar for use in the evening when rates are higher—or charge the battery overnight on an off-peak tariff and draw from it during the day.
The EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X offers a flexible all-in-one solution, making it easy for beginners to get started with solar and energy storage systems. It integrates a 3.84kWh LFP battery and a built-in microinverter, capable of drawing power directly from solar panels, delivering it to your home, and storing it simultaneously. With storage capacity expandable to 23kWh, it meets the needs of storing electricity during the day and seamlessly switching to use at night, thereby further enabling energy independence.
Four MPPTs handle up to 2,000W of PV input, letting you capture more energy across different light conditions. It works seamlessly with EcoFlow’s high-efficiency solar panels (400W, 450W, or 520W), which offer adaptable mounting options from balcony and garden frame to flat rooftop or vertical façade. It’s a good fit where traditional rooftop solar isn’t possible.
The Ultra X can run appliances directly from its 1,200W AC outlet, supply up to 800W of grid-tied power to your home’s circuits, and handle heavier loads, like your washer and dryer, up to 2,300W when paired or using grid bypass.
Through the EcoFlow app, you can set tariff-aware charging schedules and use built-in solar forecasts to automatically top up off-peak and discharge at peak hours, no manual juggling needed.
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra X
Conclusion
The April Ofgem price-cap change has made the washing machine running cost increase in the UK households are seeing more noticeable, even if it’s only a few pence per wash. By understanding why costs have risen and making small, practical changes—washing cooler, running full loads, timing cycles smartly, and exploring solar options—you can take control of your laundry expenses. Over time, these habits not only keep your bills in check but also reduce your environmental impact, proving that smart energy choices at home can deliver both savings and sustainability.
FAQs
How much does it cost to run a washing machine for 1 hour in the UK?
The cost depends on how much power your machine uses during that hour. It draws the most energy when heating water, then much less while agitating or spinning. To estimate, take the machine’s wattage ÷ 1,000 × time (hours) × your electricity rate per kWh.
Under the current Ofgem price cap (July–Sept 2025), the average rate is about 25.73p per kWh, so running a 1,000W washing machine for an hour costs roughly 26p. Most modern washers use 0.5–1.0 kWh per standard load, so expect ~13–26p for an hour, more for hot cotton cycles. Your user manual should list exact wattage or energy-per-cycle figures.
Does a washing machine use a lot of electricity in the UK?
A washing machine is a moderate electricity user, not as energy hungry as heating or tumble drying, but still meaningful over time. On average, running one load in the UK uses around 0.5–1.0 kWh of electricity. At the current average unit rate (about 25.73p per kWh), that works out at roughly 13–26p per wash.
If you do four washes a week, you’ll spend about £27–£54 a year on electricity for washing alone. Newer, energy-efficient models often use less electricity per cycle thanks to improved motor design, better insulation, and more advanced wash programs.
Why is my washing machine using so much electricity?
Most of a machine’s electricity is spent heating water, so frequent hot cycles at 40–60°C will push your usage up. Long intensive programs, extra rinses (sometimes triggered by too much detergent), small or overloaded loads, and very high spin speeds can also increase consumption.
Older or less efficient models use more energy per cycle than newer ones. To save money, wash at cooler temperatures like 30°C, run full but not over-packed loads, choose eco programs, and keep your machine in good condition—cleaning filters and dealing with limescale in hard-water areas can improve efficiency.
Does unplugging a washing machine save electricity?
It does save a bit, but not much. Most machines draw a very small standby load—often just 1–5 watts. At today’s prices, a 2W standby load for a year uses about 17.5 kWh, costing around £4–£5. So, switching off the wall after each wash can save a few pounds annually. The bigger savings come from cutting hot washes and running full loads, but cutting standby power across several devices can add up.