What Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in Pennsylvania?
Running a washing machine in Pennsylvania costs about $2.25 a month — $27.43 a year — at the state's average rate of 21.47 ¢/kWh. The estimate assumes a typical 700-watt washing machine running 0.5 hours/day, at the all-in average rate (delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees already included; locally billed taxes vary by area).
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average wattage assumption | 700 W |
| Typical usage assumption | 0.5 hours/day |
| Estimated monthly electricity use | 10.5 kWh |
| Estimated monthly cost | $2.25 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $27.43 |
Washing Machine cost vs U.S. average
At the state average rate, a washing machine in Pennsylvania costs $0.23 more a month than it would at the U.S. average rate.
How much electricity does a washing machine use?
A washing machine draws roughly 400-1,400 W; we use 700 watts running 0.5 hours/day. That comes to 0.35 kWh a day — 10.5 kWh a month, or 127.7 kWh over a year — using kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000.
The machine's motor sips power; it's the hot water that costs you. Wash in cold and a load is nearly free to run — switch to warm or hot and most of the energy goes straight into heating the water. Pennsylvania prices that energy at 21.47 ¢/kWh, against a 19.32 ¢/kWh national average.
Washing Machine operating cost estimate in Pennsylvania
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.70 kWh | $0.15 |
| Per day | 0.35 kWh | $0.08 |
| Per month | 10.5 kWh | $2.25 |
| Per year | 127.7 kWh | $27.43 |
These figures use the all-in average rate. Your actual bill can run higher when separately billed taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees apply.
What changes the cost the most?
Two things move this number: your state's rate, which you can't change, and how hard the appliance works, which you often can. For a washing machine, that mostly comes down to wash temperature, load frequency, machine efficiency.
Using yours more lightly or heavily than our assumption? The state calculator and usage-cost pages below model your exact scenario at the same rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Washing Machine calculator in Pennsylvania to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:
City pages for selected metros in Pennsylvania
These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are estimates.
| City | City rate | Monthly estimate | Yearly estimate | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 22.33 ¢/kWh | $2.34 | $28.13 | City electricity context |
| Pittsburgh | 21.68 ¢/kWh | $2.28 | $27.32 | City electricity context |
| Allentown | 21.47 ¢/kWh | $2.25 | $27.05 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on local rate context. The table above uses the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Pennsylvania
- Clothes Dryer cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 1,800-5,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Refrigerator cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 40-100 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Space Heater cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 750-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Window AC cost in Pennsylvania — Typical 500-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a washing machine in Pennsylvania?
At 0.5 hours/day and the state average rate of 21.47 ¢/kWh, you'd pay about $2.25 a month.
Does this estimate include delivery fees and taxes?
Yes — the all-in average rate already includes delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees; locally billed taxes vary by area.
Where else can I compare this appliance?
See the appliance comparison guide, or the Pennsylvania bill estimator for whole-household profiles.
State cost and bill pathways for Pennsylvania
- Average power price in Pennsylvania — What a kWh of electricity costs in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania electricity rates — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Electricity cost in Pennsylvania — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Electricity cost in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Pennsylvania monthly electricity bill estimate — What a typical monthly bill looks like
- Electric bill estimator scenarios in Pennsylvania — Estimate your bill from your monthly usage
Historical and trend pages
- Historical electricity prices in Pennsylvania — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Pennsylvania — State electricity inflation analysis
- Pennsylvania electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- Electricity cost for 100 kWh in Pennsylvania — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 300 kWh in Pennsylvania — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 500 kWh in Pennsylvania — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Custom usage calculator for Pennsylvania — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Pennsylvania — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Pennsylvania — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Pennsylvania — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Pennsylvania — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Pennsylvania — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Pennsylvania — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Pennsylvania
- Compare Pennsylvania with other states — State-to-state comparison hub
- Pennsylvania vs Alabama electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Pennsylvania vs Alaska electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Pennsylvania electricity hub — Guide to this state's electricity rate, usage, comparison, and tool pages
- Electricity cost scenario hub — Entry point for residential and industry scenario pages
- Pennsylvania electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Pennsylvania average electricity bill benchmark — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Pennsylvania electricity bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios for this state
- Electricity usage hubs — Browse cost pages by common household usage tiers
Consumer electricity drivers
- Price drivers in Pennsylvania — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: April 2026. Estimates use the EIA all-in average residential rate — energy, delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees together, not just the electricity itself. Fees are inside the rate, not an extra on top; how your own bill splits fixed versus per-kWh charges varies by utility. For what's inside the all-in rate, see hidden electricity fees; for how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.