How Much Water Does a Washing Machine Use?
This article is also available in French: Combien d’Eau Consomme une Machine à Laver ?
How much does your washing machine actually cost you? A washing machine's water consumption is one of the factors to evaluate when purchasing a new appliance.
Water consumption: progress is being made
Home appliance manufacturers have made great strides in water consumption in recent years. The amount of water used by a washing machine or dishwasher is now a major decision criterion, alongside electricity consumption. In the past, a washing machine required 100 to 120 liters of water per wash cycle. Today, a latest-generation appliance with a 5 kg capacity uses 40 to 80 liters.
Knowing a washing machine's water consumption
Energy and water consumption are often linked, even if there are exceptions. This data must always appear on the product label. Modern washing machines, whether top-loading or front-loading, are faster and more efficient than older ones. Most of them have an A, A+, A++, or A+++ rating. What do these ratings mean?
- A: 70 to 80 liters per cycle
- A+: 60 to 70 liters
- A++: 50 to 60 liters
- A+++: 40 to 50 liters
Consumption according to wash programs
Find out how to adjust your water consumption based on wash programs:
- Be wary of options for very dirty laundry, such as "intensive wash": they can increase washing time and the amount of water required by 20%.
- You can avoid pre-washing by stain-treating your laundry by hand before putting it in the machine.
- Some appliances offer an extra rinse (for baby clothes or for people with allergies). This increases water flow.
- Short programs (15-30 minutes) save water, but they are only effective for lightly soiled laundry and provided you do not overload the drum.
Annual household consumption
Your washing machine's water consumption varies depending on whether you live alone or with others. Manufacturers indicate an average annual consumption on appliance labels to help you anticipate your water expenses.
- A: 9,900 to 11,000 liters per year
- A+: 11,000 to 13,200 liters
- A++: 13,200 to 15,400 liters
- A+++: 15,400 to 17,600 liters
How much does it cost?
To estimate the annual water cost of your washing machine:
- Identify its energy rating. Since 2012, there have been A++ and A+++ appliances (between 45 and 60 L of water per year) and A+ and A (70 to 90 L). Class C or D machines consume between 90 and 110 L.
- Determine how many washes you do each week.
- Multiply the number of liters of water corresponding to the washing machine's annual consumption by 52 (the number of weeks in a year) and by the number of your weekly loads.
To learn more, discover the criteria for choosing an economical washing machine!
How can you use less water?
Certain tips can reduce your washing machine's water consumption. Older appliances sometimes do not have laundry weight detection. This feature allows the machine to determine the amount of water to use based on the weight of the laundry. On these machines, load enough laundry before starting the cycle. Also, take advantage of the short cycle or half-load function if your washing machine allows it.
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