Cost to run a clothes washer in California
About $35.84 a year for a typical model, at the California average of 32.58 cents per kWh.
How California compares
The same clothes washer costs $20.01 a year at the U.S. average rate, so in California you pay $15.83 more. See the California electricity rate for the full picture.
Efficient or high-use: the range in California
| Model type | kWh per year | Per year | Over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient | 75 | $24.43 | $244.35 |
| Typical | 110 | $35.84 | $358.38 |
| High use | 196 | $63.92 | $639.22 |
Between the efficient and the high-use model, the difference in California adds up to about $394.87 over 10 years. Front-load and top-load washers.
Models that cost the least to run in California
| Model | Details | kWh per year | Cost per year in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown CRNWM280W00 | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Hisense WF5S2845BB | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Hisense WF5S2845BT | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Hisense WF5S2845BW | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Premium Levella PWMF280HB | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Premium Levella PWMF280HT | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Premium Levella PWMF280HW | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Premium Levella PWMF286HS | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| Premium Levella PWMF287HB | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
| TRUARCTIC TWF3124HSB | Front Load | 39 | $12.71 |
See clothes washers in all states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a clothes washer in California?
About $35.84 a year, or $2.99 a month, for a typical ENERGY STAR certified model that uses 110 kWh a year at the California average rate of 32.58 cents per kWh.
Is that more or less than in other states?
It is $15.83 a year more than the same clothes washer at the U.S. average rate. California ranks 2 of 51 for electricity price, where 1 is the most expensive.
How much can an efficient clothes washer save in California?
Over 10 years, a model in the most efficient 10% costs about $394.87 less to run in California than a model in the 10% that use the most, at today's rate.
Same clothes washer, nearby in the ranking
- Hawaii $51.05 a year
- Maine $33.25 a year
- Massachusetts $33.21 a year
Other appliances in California
- Refrigerators in California
- Mini fridges in California
- Freezers in California
- Dishwashers in California
- Clothes dryers in California
- Dehumidifiers in California
- Room air conditioners in California
- Televisions in California
How we get these numbers: yearly electricity use comes from the ENERGY STAR certified product lists, measured with the federal test procedure. The rate is the average residential price the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports for each state, January to August 2026. Your own bill depends on your utility, your plan and how you use the appliance. See sources.