A simplified model for the electrical energy consumption of washing machines

•A model for the average electrical energy consumption of the washing machines is presented.•The model is function of energy class (or year of purchase), capacity, operating set-ups.•The model is based on the consumption data of a large number of washing machines found in literature.•The model predictions have been evaluated against data acquired in dedicated tests.•The model results are very good.

In order to develop a software that aims at helping reducing the electrical energy consumption in the domestic sector of the European Union, it becomes necessary to model the electrical energy consumption of the main home appliances as a function of their features such as energy class, capacity and operating set-ups. This paper focuses on the modeling of electrical energy consumption of the washing machines and its validation through experimental measurements. The model is based on the consumption data of a large number of washing machines – data available on the datasheets of the different devices, freely downloadable from the website of the suppliers and also taking into account the washing cycle temperature. For the oldest washing machines where datasheets are not available we estimate the energy consumption from historical consumption data found in literature. The results obtained by our model are promising.