How it is calculated
Electricity per wash = kWh per cycle × price per kWh. Water per wash = litres ÷ 1,000 × price per m³.
Annual cost = (electricity + water) × washes per week × 52.
Worked example
Using the calculator’s example values:
- Energy per wash: 0.7 kWh/cycle
- Washes per week: 4 /week
- Water per wash: 50 L/cycle
- Water price: $2.00/m³
- Electricity price: $0.15/kWh
- Energy of an alternative programme (optional): 0.5 kWh/cycle
Result: Total annual cost — $42.64 (cost per wash: $0.21; monthly cost: $3.55; electricity per year: $21.84).
Money-saving tips
- Wash full loads as recommended by the manufacturer.
- At 30–40 °C most laundry gets clean with far less energy.
- Use the eco programme even if it takes longer: it heats water more efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
Why does eco take longer but use less?
It compensates for a lower temperature with longer soaking and agitation, and heating less water is what saves the most energy.
Where do I find kWh per wash?
The EU energy label shows kWh per 100 eco cycles; divide by 100. Other programmes may use more. In the US the EnergyGuide label gives yearly kWh.
Does it include detergent?
No. If you want to include it, add its cost per wash to the result.
How we calculate and the limits of the results: Methodology.