Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a distributed self-organizing network which contains a large number of tiny multi-functional sensor nodes. The network life time is an important issue in WSN because every sensor node has a constraint on electric supply. In this paper, an energy consumption model is described and a GA-based algorithm will be used to optimize the energy consumption by analyzing the working model of sensor nodes. The model will provide an effective reference of working pattern for WSN. This algorithm is evaluated through analysis and simulations.