According to energy specialists at Grant Store, simply adjusting the time of day you use your washing machine should cut your energy bill, particularly during the summer. An expert from the company said: “Many energy suppliers operate time-of-use (TOU) pricing, meaning the cost of electricity can vary throughout the day.
“By avoiding peak houses and shifting high-usage appliances like washing machines to off-peak periods, you can cut down your bills with no loss in performance.” The experts said most households tend to do their laundry during weekday evenings, typically 4pm to 7pm when people get home from work. However, this is when electricity demand is at its highest, which could result in you paying more.
The expert added: “Peak hours usually coincide with when households are most active, cooking dinner, watching TV and using appliances.
“This drives up demand and can lead to higher charges per unit. Avoiding these peak windows can make a big difference, especially in summer.”
Instead, it is recommended that laundry be washed early in the morning, ideally before 9am.
This is because summer mornings are typically cooler and see the lowest electricity demand, meaning cheaper unit rates are often available.
The expert explained: “By contrast, as the temperature rises throughout the day, so does demand, particularly from fans and cooling systems, which may push prices up.”
This advice applies especially to households on time-of-use or smart meter tariffs, but even those on standard variable plans can make long-term savings by reducing grid pressure.
In contrast, winter routines flip the pattern, according to the energy specialist. They noted: “The morning becomes a high-demand period due to central heating systems kicking in.
“This means the most cost-effective time for laundry during colder months is usually after 8pm, when energy use begins to taper off.”
According to the energy pros, using a cold wash setting is also an ideal way to make huge savings.
This is because heating water accounts for around 90% of the energy used during a wash cycle.
Modern detergents are designed to work effectively at low temperatures, so cold washing is safe for most everyday clothing.
Drying clothing outdoors, as well as limited loads, can also help you save money on your wash.