GE GTW538A*W***: running cost
ENERGY STAR certifies the GE GTW538A*W*** at 175 kWh/yr, one of the more expensive models in its category to run for its category.
The $33 figure above uses the simple average of all 51 published state rates. Pick your state for the real number.
GE GTW538A*W*** against the category
That's 42.3% above the washing machine category average of 123 kWh/yr, and ranks 360 of 398 certified washing machines for annual running cost, 1 being cheapest. The category average comes from every washing machine ENERGY STAR currently certifies (398 models), not an outside benchmark, about $10/year above that average at the national rate. See the methodology page.
What sits beside it in the ranking
GE GTW540A*P*** ($33/yr, 175 kWh/yr) costs a little more to run than the GE GTW538A*W***. GE GTW500A*N*** ($33/yr, 175 kWh/yr) costs a little less.
Within the GE lineup
GE makes 41 ENERGY STAR certified washing machines; this one ranks 40 of 41 for running cost, between the brand's cheapest, the GFW148S*M*** at $18/yr, and its priciest, the GTW540A*P*** at $33/yr.
What this adds up to over time
Over the 10-year service life NAHB reports for this category, running the GE GTW538A*W*** costs roughly $329 in electricity, separate from the purchase price.
Shopping for a new one
Running above the category average, $33/year is exactly the kind of number that makes a newer, more efficient model pay for itself faster.
Compare current ENERGY STAR certified washing machines before buying.
Protecting what you have
A washing machine like the GE GTW538A*W*** is a real household expense whether or not it needs replacing yet; a protection plan is one way to budget for a repair rather than a full replacement.
Sourcing
At rank 360 of 398 for running cost, see the washing machine category page for the rest of the field, or the guide to how much your state matters. The 175 kWh/yr figure is ENERGY STAR's own certification, not a wattage estimate; exact dataset IDs are on the data sources page.