Washing machines are cheaper to run at certain times of the day (Image: Getty)
Running the washing machine is one of the biggest weekly chores for most households — and it can add up fast on your energy bill. With costs still high, many families are looking for ways to cut down on laundry expenses without compromising on clean clothes.
It comes as Ofgem confirmed that the latest UK energy price cap, covering the period from October 1 to December 31, is set at £1,755 per year for a typical household on a standard variable tariff paying by direct debit. To find out the smartest ways to save, we asked four washing machine experts when the cheapest time to do laundry really is — and their answers revealed the same golden hour for cutting costs.
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Best time to use washing machine
All the experts agreed: if your energy tariff allows it, overnight or early morning, between about 10pm and 7am, is the cheapest time to run your washing machine.
Adam Norris, Senior Product Manager for Dishwashing and Laundry at Hotpoint, explained that many energy tariffs provide lower rates for off-peak washes. “In fact, energy specialists E.ON note a ‘sweet spot’ between 10pm and 8am for lower rates,” he said. “If your tariff allows, wash early in the morning or late in the evening, it’s an easy way to cut costs.”
Matthew Ayres, Appliances Expert at RDO Kitchens and Appliances, also recommends avoiding daytime peaks: “If households are able to do so, they are advised to use the washing machine during off-peak times. During this period, the demand for electricity is lower; therefore, your electricity tariff may be lower, costing you less to complete a wash. For the best savings, it is advisable to confirm your off-peak hours with your electricity provider; generally, these hours run from 10pm to 7am.”
Stephen Day, Energy and Appliance Expert at iHeat, agrees that the overnight hours are the cheapest for many households: “If you’re on a variable-rate tariff like Economy 7 or Economy 10, the cheapest electricity rates tend to be overnight, usually between midnight and 7am, so running your washing machine during these off-peak hours can significantly reduce your energy bill.”
Overnight or early morning is the best time to run your washing machine (Image: Getty)
Hours to avoid using a washing machine
If late-night or early-morning laundry isn’t practical, the next best thing is to avoid peak-time energy use. For most households, that means steering clear of late afternoon washes, when electricity demand is highest.
As Stephen (iHeat) warns: “Even if you’re on a standard fixed-rate tariff, it’s still smart to avoid peak hours, which tend to be between 4pm and 7pm.
“This is when demand on the grid is highest, prices are at their peak (if you’re on a smart or agile tariff), and electricity is usually generated by more carbon-intensive sources. Instead, you should aim for a mid-morning wash (between 10am and 12pm) or later in the evening (after 8pm).”
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Washing machine temperatures to save energy
Timing isn’t the only factor. The experts also stressed that lower temperatures dramatically cut energy costs. In short: washing at 20–30°C is one of the easiest ways to reduce energy bills.
Adam (Hotpoint) explained that “running a cycle at 30°C instead of 40°C can save up to 40% of energy used per load”.
Matthew (RDO Kitchens) agrees: “A lower temperature wash could use up to 59% less energy per wash, so setting your machine to 20°C or 30°C instead of the standard 40°C or higher could be more impactful than households realise.”
Stephen (iHeat) added that heating the water is the most energy-intensive part of a wash cycle. “Modern detergents are designed to work just as well at 30°C, and choosing a cooler wash can cut your energy use by up to 40% without sacrificing cleanliness for most everyday loads.”
Washine machine setting to save energy
Two experts pointed out that eco settings are designed to save energy, even if they run longer. So while eco settings may not be the fastest, they’re among the most efficient.
Adam (Hotpoint) said: “Eco-cycles may take longer, but can use up to 60% less energy. It’s a simple way to combine efficiency with great results.”
Matthew (RDO Kitchens) agrees: “Most modern washing machines offer an economy wash setting designed to reduce water and energy consumption.
He added: “One drawback, however, is the time it takes for the eco wash to finish. The average time of the eco wash could be between two and four hours, which may not be suitable for some households.”
Laundry habits to avoid
Finally, the experts stressed that everyday laundry habits also affect your bills. Little changes — from full loads to clean filters — all contribute to lower energy use.
Hotpoint’s Adam advises: “Don’t run half loads… hold off until the drum is full but not overloaded.” He added: “Air dry when possible. Tumble drying is convenient but uses significantly more energy.”
Matthew (RDO Kitchens) explained that although spin speed may not directly impact the cost of your washing machine, using higher spin speeds will help your clothes to dry faster and reduce the time on your tumble dryer. “An appliance that can be extremely costly, moving into the autumn and winter months,” he added.
And Andrew Wright, Cookology founder and appliance expert, highlights maintenance mistakes that waste money: “Overloading the drum, using too much detergent, and ignoring the filter all shorten the lifespan of your machine and make it work harder than necessary.”