Due to the rising energy bills, many households are taking extra care with their spending at the moment. Large household appliances, such as washing machines, can use up a lot of energy which can have a big impact on bills if they are used often enough.
It has recently been revealed that it is most expensive to use the washing machine at peak times in the early evening, however, a seven-hour window has also been found where it is more cost-effective to put on a load of washing reports the Daily Record.
According to Deyan Dimitrov, laundry expert and CEO of Laundryheap, putting the washing machine on early in the morning could help you cut costs, depending on the type of tariff you are on. He said: "Depending on your energy tariff, demand for electricity can greatly impact your energy bill.
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"This means that the time you choose to run your washing machine and tumble dryer can greatly affect your spending. When drying or washing clothes, make sure to avoid any time between 4pm and 7pm, as this is the most popular and expensive period."
"If possible, I would recommend using the time delay setting on your washing machine, as this function allows you to control when a washing cycle starts. Given that energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, I would advise scheduling your washing machine to run into the early hours of the morning. Doing this can help you to significantly cut down energy costs."
Another way to make your washing machine more energy efficient is by swapping for a colder cycle. Deyan explained: "By washing your clothes at lower temperatures, and for less time, you’ll be able to increase your washing machine’s efficiency. A 30 degree washing cycle can reduce your machine's energy output by 50% in comparison to a 40-60 degree wash.
"Use hot washes sparingly, and prioritise any items which are exposed to lots of bacteria (such as sportswear, bedding and towels). Using the eco button on your machine will allow you to make additional savings."
For those that tumble dry their clothes, Deyan also has a few suggestions to change the way this is done to make sure bills aren't as high. He said: "When drying your laundry, try to use a cooler cycle.
"Whilst this may take a little longer than a hotter cycle, your energy consumption will still be much lower. This will prevent you from over-drying the items.
"If your clothes are warm when you remove them from your dryer, they’ve been in for too long. Timing your tumble drying is another great way to save money."
He added: "If you’re able to switch between different drying loads quickly, your tumble dryer will stay warm. This will conserve any leftover heat and reduce the drying time of your next load."
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