What a washing machine costs to run in each state
The table assumes a front loader on a cold wash, five loads a week.
| State | Rate | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| TasmaniaAurora Energy | 24.75c | $1.88 | $23 |
| QueenslandEnergex | 27.97c | $2.13 | $26 |
| Victoriaaverage of five networks | 28.2c | $2.14 | $26 |
| Northern TerritoryJacana Energy | 31.68c | $2.41 | $29 |
| New South WalesAusgrid | 33.14c | $2.52 | $30 |
| Western AustraliaSynergy | 33.26c | $2.53 | $30 |
| Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network | 36.95c | $2.81 | $34 |
| South AustraliaSA Power Networks | 41.91c | $3.19 | $38 |
Cold vs warm, front vs top loader
| Type | Energy | Cost a use | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front loader, cold wash | 0.35 kWh | 12c | $30 |
| Top loader, cold wash | 0.17 kWh | 6c | $15 |
| Front loader, warm wash | 0.65 kWh | 22c | $56 |
| Top loader, warm wash | 1 kWh | 33c | $86 |
| Machine | Stars | Cold wash | Warm wash |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg top loader | 2.5 | $0.06 | $0.33 |
| 5 kg front loader | 3 | $0.11 | $0.27 |
| 7 kg top loader | 3.5 | $0.06 | $0.31 |
| 7 kg front loader | 4.5 | $0.12 | $0.20 |
| 8.5 kg top loader | 3.5 | $0.06 | $0.37 |
| 8.5 kg front loader | 4.5 | $0.14 | $0.25 |
Top loaders use little energy on a cold wash because the motor does less work, but they use much more water, and their warm washes cost more because they heat more water. Front loaders use less water on every wash.
How to cut laundry costs
Wash in cold water
It removes most of the energy cost of each load. Modern detergents work well in cold water.
Wash full loads
A full load costs about the same as a half load.
Use a high spin speed
Drier clothes dry faster on the line or in a dryer, which costs far more per load than washing.
Run it in cheap hours
On solar or a time-of-use plan, run the washer at midday. See the best time to run appliances.
Read the energy label
The label shows kWh a year based on a set number of warm washes. If you wash in cold water, your real use will be lower. Multiply the label figure by your rate to compare models.
Questions about washing machine running costs
A cold wash in a front loader costs about 12c on the Ausgrid reference rate. A warm wash in a top loader using about 1 kWh costs around 33c.
The SA Government's figures show warm washes costing two to five times as much as cold washes on the same machine, because most of the energy goes into heating water.
On warm washes, generally yes, because they heat less water. On cold washes, top loaders can use slightly less electricity but much more water.
On a flat rate, any time. On time of use, the off-peak or midday solar soak window. With rooftop solar, the middle of a sunny day.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.