Laundry Cost Calculator
Weekly and yearly water plus water cost from loads, machine type, and rate.
What it does
Laundry water hides in loads times gallons per load: five standard loads a week is 100 gallons before the weekend ends. Efficient machines near 14 gallons cut the same routine by almost a third.
The tool above takes weekly loads with machine type and water rate. It returns weekly and yearly gallons with yearly water cost beside them.
The default of 5 standard loads at $11 per 1,000 gallons uses 100 gal a week and 5,200 a year for $57.20. The efficient twin uses 70 and 3,640 for $40.04.
The figures follow Energy Star washer guidance with program savings data matching each number. Both place standard full size machines near 20 gallons with certified ones near 14 across about 300 loads a year.
How to use
- Count real loads a week for a month and average.
- Pick standard or efficient machine type.
- Enter the combined water and sewer rate.
- Read yearly gallons first for conservation.
- Read cost to price an upgrade.
Formula
- 20 / 14
- Gallons per load, standard versus efficient.
- 52
- Weeks annualizing the routine.
- rate
- Combined water plus sewer dollars per 1,000 gal.
Water cost only; heating energy and detergent ride outside. Average families run near 300 loads a year, about 5.8 a week.
Worked example
Example: 5 standard loads at $11
Defaults: 5 loads, standard 20 gal, rate 11.
- Weekly: 5 x 20 = 100 gal/week.
- Yearly: 100 x 52 = 5,200 gal/year.
- Cost: 5,200 / 1,000 x 11 = $57.20/year water.
- Efficient twin: 5 x 14 x 52 = 3,640 gal for $40.04.
- Tool shows 100 gal/week, 5,200 gal/year, $57.20/year water.
Reference table
| Machine | Yearly | Cost at $11 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 20 gal | 5,200 gal/year | $57.20/year water |
| Efficient 14 gal | 3,640 gal/year | $40.04/year water |
Limits
- Water only; heating and soap excluded.
- Rated loads assumed; half loads waste the same.
- Rates vary widely by city and tier.
- Dryer energy dwarfs washer water costs.
Common mistakes
- Guessing loads instead of counting a month.
- Pricing water without the sewer half.
- Running half loads at full water.
- Ignoring the dryer behind washer savings.
- Overdosing detergent that needs extra rinses.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
5 efficient loads at $11?
70 gal/week, 3,640 gal/year, $40.04/year water.
300 loads a year is how many a week?
300 / 52 = about 5.8 loads a week.
Yearly savings switching to efficient?
1,560 gal and about $17.16 at $11 per 1,000 gal.
Questions
How much water per load?
About 20 gal standard, 14 gal efficient full size machines.
How many loads a year?
Near 300 for average families, about 5.8 a week.
Is efficient worth it?
About 30% less water plus energy savings near 20% per program data.
Cold water help?
Yes for heating bills. This page prices water; cold also trims energy.
Front or top load?
Front loaders generally use less water; check the specific ratings.
What rate do I enter?
Combined water plus sewer per 1,000 gallons from the utility bill.