WITH ENERGY bills set to rise by £21 next month, many people are looking for ways to keep their costs down.
And one energy expert has revealed that washing your clothes at a specific time can help you save.
Energy expert at Your NRG Gordon Wallis says households can make “big savings on reducing their energy bills” by adjusting their laundry routine.
He claimed many people are unaware that time of day you put the washing machine on can have a significant impact on your bills.
For those on time-of-use tariffs, electricity providers often charge less in off-peak hours such as late in the light or early in the morning like 7 to 8am.
Gordon said: “By adjusting your routine and doing your laundry during these cheaper periods, you could see decent savings over the course of a year.”
You might be wondering why there are cheaper times to use electric appliances, well, during the winter months energy demands tend to peak in the morning and evening as households heat their homes.
The increase in need can result in higher rates than usual.
But running your washing machine in the evening or overnight when demand is lower is more ‘cost effective’.
The energy pro claimed: “Small changes like these can make a noticeable difference over the winter months.
“Washing machines and tumble dryers are some of the most energy-hungry appliances at home, but small changes can make a big difference.”
Another way households can save money is by switching to cold washes as it can cut energy use by 90% without sacrificing cleanliness.
Lower temperatures are best for everyday items that aren’t heavily stained and cost significantly less that a typical load of laundry.
Once you are done washing the clothes you’ll also want to dry them.
For those looking to keep the tumble dryer off, there are plenty of money saving hacks to get them dry in no time.
Even though it is winter, you can still dry clothes outside when the weather permits.
Opt to keep them outside on sunny days, the sun and wind will help them dry quickly.
You can also use a heated dryer or dehumidifier to draw out moisture from the clothes and reduce condensation in the home.
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
