The time of day when you wash your clothes could increase your energy bill.
With the energy price cap rising again this month, after many consumers saw their monthly bill jump by 54% in April, many people are looking to make savings wherever they can. Even with the Energy Bills Support Scheme and pensioners' winter fuel allowance, every spin of the washing machine or tumble dryer risks pushing households over the edge of what they can afford.
Running a washing machine is cheaper at certain hours of the day, outside the peak times when it's more expensive. There's a seven-hour window when it's most cost-effective to put a wash on, according to laundry expert Deyan Dimitrov, who recommended early morning as the cheapest time to run a cycle, the Daily Record reports.
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The CEO of Laundryheap said: "Depending on your energy tariff, demand for electricity can greatly impact your energy bill. 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."
There are other ways to keep costs down while washing clothes, according to Deyan, including using colder cycles, which could make the washing machine more energy efficient. Deyan said: "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."
Running the dryer on a cooler setting may also slash costs as, despite taking longer to run, the energy consumption is lower, according to Deyan. The laundry expert said: "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."
Deyan added: "Timing your tumble drying is another great way to save money. 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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