Experts at energy supplier E.ON have revealed that running your washing machine during the cheapest three hours of the day—between 2am and 5am—could slash electricity bills by more than half. The key is to take advantage of off-peak pricing, when demand on the grid is lowest.
Why Timing Matters
Electricity costs fluctuate throughout the day based on demand. On smart tariffs, known as time-of-use pricing, energy is more expensive during peak hours (e.g., weekday evenings) and cheaper when fewer people are using power. E.ON notes that the cheapest window is between 2am and 5am, where costs can drop by over 50%. Other off-peak periods include 10pm to 8am, with a morning window of 7am to 8am also offering savings.
According to E.ON, "It turns out that timing is everything. Using your washing machine during off-peak hours could make a noticeable difference to your monthly bill." The company suggests that "the easiest ways to trim your running costs" is by doing laundry during these cheapest windows.
How to Implement Savings
To benefit from lower rates, use your washing machine's delay start feature. Load it in the evening and set it to run during off-peak hours, such as 2am. Additionally, batch laundry into fewer, fuller loads rather than small daily washes. Pre-soaking stained or odorous items can reduce the need for high-temperature cycles, further cutting energy use.
These strategies help households reduce both costs and energy consumption, with potential savings of more than half on electricity used for laundry during the super off-peak period.
