Consumption per energy label

For the calculations below, an average consumption was set at 220 washes per year, which equates to about one wash every two days. Do you live alone? Then chances are you’ll have the washing machine on much less often. The opposite is also true, if you have a larger household, you might wash more often.

On your washing machine’s energy label, you’ll find what the consumption of a washing machine is per 100 washes. So if you want to calculate for yourself exactly what your washing machine consumes per wash, you can divide this number by 100. Then multiply it by the number of times you run a wash and you will be able to calculate your actual consumption.

Always keep in mind that the information on the energy label is calculated based on washes run with the eco 40 60 program. If you often wash at a low temperature, your energy consumption may be even lower.

Do you always wash at a higher temperature? Then you’re the least efficient and will probably use more electricity.

We’ve also included an energy price of €0.23 per kWh in the calculation, which is average. To work out your exact consumption, you’ll need to use your own energy prices.

Based on this data, we’ve answered the question: What does a washing machine consume per energy class?

• A washing machine with energy class A consumes 99 kWh per year, which equates to energy costs of €23 per year.
• A washing machine with energy class B consumes 114 kWh per year, which equates to energy costs of €26 per year.
• A washing machine with energy class C consumes 130 kWh per year, which equates to energy costs of €30 per year.
• A washing machine with energy class D consumes 152 kWh per year, which equates to energy costs of €35 per year.
• A washing machine with energy class E consumes 172 kWh per year, which equates to energy costs of €40 per year.
• A washing machine with energy class F consumes 194 kWh per year, which equates to energy costs of €45 per year.

A quick calculation shows that an energy-efficient washing machine with energy class A can save you €45-€23 = €22 per year on your total energy costs. In ten years, that amount rises to €220. This is often exactly the price difference between the most economical washing machines and a washing machine that uses a lot of energy. So it takes about ten years for an energy-efficient washing machine to pay for itself.

To find out exactly how much electricity is used per wash, divide the number of kWh by the number of washes per year. This way you can calculate the price of a single wash.

How much wattage does a washing machine need

An average washing machine uses between 2500 and 3000 watts of electricity. This means that the appliance must be connected to a separate group. This will prevent you from getting a short circuit when you turn on the washing machine.

Getting the most out of your energy-efficient washing machine

It makes no sense to buy an energy-efficient washing machine if you don’t use it in an energy-efficient way. So always follow these tips:

1. Mind the water consumption

Saving on energy makes little sense if you use too much water per wash. On average, a washing machine consumes about 14 m3 of water, which is equivalent to about €55. Modern washing machines are often equipped with water saving features, such as the eco setting. Whenever possible, run your laundry on this setting so that you also use less water.

2. Think about the temperature

Even the most economical models are not very economical anymore if you use high temperatures. If you have to heat the water, you can be sure that you are using more power than is really needed. Nowadays it is no longer necessary to wash your laundry very hot, most washing machines have a program of 20 or 30 degrees, which actually dries your laundry.

3. Wash always a full drum

You will wash most economically if you turn on a short program for small loads or save them altogether until you have a full drum. The fact is that you use too much energy washing a half-full or quarter-full drum.

The same is true the other way around, it’s better to buy a bigger washing machine where you can wash all your laundry in one go than to wash it all in a smaller machine twice. Always choose a washing machine with a fill weight that suits your household.

4. Dry your laundry energy-efficiently

If you invest in a washing machine that allows you to set a high RPM, your laundry will come out of the drum as dry as it can be. It is then no longer necessary to put your laundry in the dryer. A dryer is the least efficient of all alternatives, even if you have an efficient machine. So you save money by keeping the whole laundry process energy-efficient from start to finish.