Is It Cheaper To Do Your Laundry In The Evening? - Metro

It’s hardly a secret that energy prices have soared. And soared. And soared.

Many are worried about rising bills – as households across the country face mounting costs after the price hike and new energy cap came into effect.

As the rise in wholesale gas prices (causing the cap surge) is not something individuals can really control, it’s natural to wonder if there are ways to proactively save money on energy yourself.

While there are some potentially cost-saving appliance swaps you can do, there’s not much you can do about needing the washing machine. But can you save money by doing things a bit differently?

Currently, the cost of running a washing machine depends on a few variables – including the tariff you’re on, the temperature of the wash, and how energy efficient the machine itself is.

If you use the washing machine later at night, is it cheaper? Let’s take a look…

Is it cheaper to use your washing machine at night?

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Potentially, but it’s not guaranteed.

It all comes down to your electricity tariff and whether or not off-peak pricing applies in the evening.

Business utility specialists 001 told Metro.co.uk that for people on certain tariffs, using your washing machine – and indeed other appliances – can be more cost effective at night.

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The firm said: ‘If you have a two-rate meter, use devices such as your washing machine and tumble dryer between midnight and 7am when rates are cheaper.’

However, it’s not advised to leave a washer going overnight while you’re asleep – as it’s a potential fire risk. So, an alternative is to avoid peak laundry times: 4pm to 7pm.

You could potentially save a few pennies per laundry load if you wash them in the morning, during the day (if you work from home), or later than 7pm in the evening.

Energy Saving Trust agrees, writing in a 2020 article that – again depending on your tariff – it could be cheaper to use appliances at off-peak.

The Trust wrote that tariffs such as Economy 7 and Time Of Use (TOU) have previously encouraged off-peak usage by offering demonstrably lower prices per kWh (kilowatt hour).

This is because it’s a drain on resources when everyone is trying to use gas and electricity at the exact same time.

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According to Compare the Market, most energy providers charge a flat rate for electricity, so for most of us, it won’t matter when you do your laundry.

The comparison site also notes that a lot of two-rate tariffs charge higher daytime rates, so you might end up spending more in the long run.

Moreover, as energy bills continue to soar, many of these tariffs have become more expensive – or are no longer offered to new customers. Energy Saving Trust says it doesn’t recommend trying to switch from your current provider right now.

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For other ways to save on your energy bills, try these hacks – or try washing on 30°C instead of 40°C, swap tumble dryers for drying racks, and only put the wash on when you’ve got a full load.

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