What Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine in Virginia?
This page estimates the energy-only cost to run a washing machine in Virginia using a typical household washing machine, an average load of 700 watts, and a typical runtime of 0.5 hours/day.
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 | $1.79 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $21.78 |
Washing Machine cost vs U.S. average
At the statewide average residential rate, running a washing machine in Virginia costs less per month by $0.21 than the same usage pattern priced at the current U.S. average electricity rate.
How much electricity does a washing machine use?
This estimate uses a typical wattage range of 400-1,400 W and a modeling assumption of 700 watts for 0.5 hours/day. Using the formula kWh = (watts × hours) / 1000, that works out to 0.35 kWh per day, 10.5 kWh per 30-day month, and 127.7 kWh per year.
Washing machines generally use less electricity than dryers, but hot-water wash cycles can raise total energy cost indirectly. In Virginia, that energy is priced using the statewide residential average of 17.05 ¢/kWh, with a national benchmark of 19.04 ¢/kWh for comparison.
Washing Machine operating cost estimate in Virginia
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.70 kWh | $0.12 |
| Per day | 0.35 kWh | $0.06 |
| Per month | 10.5 kWh | $1.79 |
| Per year | 127.7 kWh | $21.78 |
These estimates isolate electricity usage only. Real utility bills can be higher because delivery charges, taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees are not included in this appliance model.
What changes the cost the most?
The biggest cost drivers for a washing machine are the local electricity rate and real-world usage intensity. For this appliance, the main swing factors are wash temperature, load frequency, machine efficiency.
If your usage is lighter or heavier than the assumption on this page, the linked state calculator and usage-cost pages below are the fastest way to model a custom scenario with the same state electricity rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Washing Machine calculator in Virginia to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
The energy comparison hub links appliance, state, and usage pages so you can browse related comparisons from one place. The main appliance cost reference for this state remains this page.
City pages for selected metros in Virginia
These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are modeled estimates; the primary appliance reference for the whole state is still the table on this page.
| City | City rate | Monthly estimate | Yearly estimate | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 15.40 ¢/kWh | $1.62 | $19.40 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on household rate context. This state-level appliance page stays the main place to compare appliance run cost using the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Virginia
- Clothes Dryer cost in Virginia — Typical 1,800-5,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Refrigerator cost in Virginia — Typical 40-100 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Space Heater cost in Virginia — Typical 750-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Window AC cost in Virginia — Typical 500-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
State cost and bill pathways for Virginia
- Virginia electricity price per kWh — Residential rate benchmark used in scenario estimates
- State electricity snapshot: Virginia — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Virginia electricity cost analysis — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Virginia Beach electricity estimate (Virginia) — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Average electricity bill in Virginia — Bill-focused context for household usage
- Virginia household bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios with fixed monthly kWh assumptions
Historical and trend pages
- Virginia electricity price history — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Virginia — State electricity inflation analysis
- Virginia electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 500 kWh cost in Virginia — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- 1,000 kWh cost in Virginia — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Electricity cost for 1,500 kWh in Virginia — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Virginia electricity cost calculator — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Virginia — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Virginia — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Virginia — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Virginia — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Virginia — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Virginia — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Virginia
- Virginia electricity comparisons — State-to-state comparison hub
- Virginia vs California electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Virginia vs Florida electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Virginia 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
- Virginia electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Virginia average electricity bill benchmark — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Virginia 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 Virginia — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: March 2026. Estimates are energy-only and exclude delivery charges, taxes, and fixed utility fees. For how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.