With energy prices still a concern for many households, Brits are being advised to rethink when they run their washing machines to avoid paying more than necessary. Energy specialists at Grant Store say that simply shifting laundry routines to off-peak hours can shave pounds off summer electricity bills, with no loss in performance.
“Many energy suppliers operate time-of-use pricing, meaning the cost of electricity can vary significantly during the day,” a spokesperson from Grant Store explained. “Running high-usage appliances like washing machines during off-peak times is one of the simplest ways to reduce your bill.”
For most households, laundry happens after work, typically between 4pm and 7pm. However, this is when electricity demand peaks, as millions of homes cook dinner, stream TV, and use multiple appliances at once.
“Peak hours usually coincide with the busiest part of the day in households,” the energy expert added. “That demand pushes up prices, particularly for customers on tariffs that adjust rates throughout the day.”
By shifting laundry loads to earlier in the morning, late at night, or even midday, those on variable tariffs can take advantage of cheaper rates. While the savings per load might seem small, they can add up over time, especially for larger families running multiple washes a week.
Longer daylight hours and lower heating use in summer can shift demand patterns. This means off-peak windows may stretch longer during the day, giving households more flexibility to time their washing.
For people on fixed-rate tariffs, the savings may not be as dramatic, but experts say changing habits now could future-proof against rising energy costs. As more suppliers adopt time-based pricing models, being aware of peak and off-peak slots will become increasingly important.
The advice is part of a wider push to encourage small, low-effort changes to help households manage rising living costs.
Unlike switching providers or investing in new appliances, adjusting the time you press start on the washing machine costs nothing and requires minimal effort.
A single switch from an evening to a morning wash cycle could be an easy win for households looking to stretch their budgets this summer.
