WattCost

Data through June 2026

Running cost · Clothes Washers · ENERGY STAR certified

GE GTW538A*W

Across a standard year of loads (234 cycles under the DOE test), the GE GTW538A*W uses 175 kWh — about $32 at the U.S. average electricity rate, or roughly 14¢ per load. Even among certified models it's on the thirsty end: 59% more electricity than the median clothes washer, ranked 311 of 344. The same unit costs $23 a year in Nevada but $92 in Hawaii — electricity rates, not the appliance, make the difference. Electricity is only part of the story for a clothes washer — check the water figure in the specs below.

Estimated annual running cost · U.S. average rate 18.3¢/kWh

$32/yr

$7.15 · cheapest certified clothes washers$57 · priciest
Per month
$2.67
Per day
9¢
Certified use
175 kWh/yr
Load configuration
Top Load
Drum volume
4.6 cu ft
IMEF
2.06
Annual water use
5,860 gal/yr
39 kWh311 kWh
Where the GE GTW538A*W (▮) sits among all 344 certified clothes washers, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

GE GTW538A*W: 175 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama16.4¢$29
Alaska28.2¢$49
Arizona15.2¢$27
Arkansas14.1¢$25
California34.7¢$61
Colorado17.1¢$30
Connecticut24.3¢$43
Delaware19.3¢$34
District of Columbia24.4¢$43
Florida15.1¢$26
Georgia16.4¢$29
Hawaiipriciest52.7¢$92
Idaho14.4¢$25
Illinois19.9¢$35
Indiana17.5¢$31
Iowa15.9¢$28
Kansas15.7¢$27
Kentucky14.3¢$25
Louisiana13.5¢$24
Maine29.6¢$52
Maryland21.8¢$38
Massachusetts29.6¢$52
Michigan23.0¢$40
Minnesota17.5¢$31
Mississippi14.9¢$26
Missouri16.2¢$28
Montana15.1¢$26
Nebraska13.3¢$23
Nevadacheapest13.1¢$23
New Hampshire27.0¢$47
New Jersey24.9¢$44
New Mexico15.1¢$26
New York29.5¢$52
North Carolina14.7¢$26
North Dakota14.1¢$25
Ohio19.2¢$34
Oklahoma14.3¢$25
Oregon16.3¢$29
Pennsylvania21.7¢$38
Rhode Island29.2¢$51
South Carolina15.6¢$27
South Dakota15.4¢$27
Tennessee14.1¢$25
Texas15.9¢$28
Utah13.4¢$23
Vermont24.4¢$43
Virginia17.2¢$30
Washington14.9¢$26
West Virginia15.4¢$27
Wisconsin19.6¢$34
Wyoming15.2¢$27

Certified models closest in efficiency

clothes washers within reach of 175 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
GE GTW500A*N175$32
GE GTW540A*P175$32
GE GTW490ACJ8WS170$31
LG WT7050C180$33
Midea MLH52N4AWW180$33
GE GTW720B*N165$30

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
9¢
Per month
$2.67
Per year
$32

175 kWh/yr × 18.3¢/kWh = $32/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 175 kWh/yr — adjust if your usage differs from the DOE test basis. The certified annual kWh assumes 234 wash cycles per year (the DOE standard, about 4–5 loads a week) and includes water-heating energy.

Questions, answered with the data

How much electricity does the GE GTW538A*W use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the GE GTW538A*W at 175 kWh per year. The certified annual kWh assumes 234 wash cycles per year (the DOE standard, about 4–5 loads a week) and includes water-heating energy.
How much does the GE GTW538A*W cost to run per month?
About $2.67 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.3¢/kWh) — 9¢ a day, or $32 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the GE GTW538A*W energy efficient?
It uses 59% more electricity than the median certified clothes washer, which puts it among the least efficient certified models.
What does the GE GTW538A*W cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $23 a year in Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and $92 in Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh).
What does one load cost with the GE GTW538A*W?
Roughly 14¢ per cycle at the U.S. average rate, based on the DOE test's 234 cycles a year.

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