When is the cheapest time to wash clothes?
PUTTING a load on? You might want to wait until a specific time of the day to do your laundry - and shave money off your bill.
Waiting just a couple of hours more to do the washing could be a good way to help reduce your energy bill.
Saving as much cash as possible on your household bills will be a big concern for millions of Brits.
Energy regulator Ofgem increased the Energy Price Cap to £1,277 from the start of this month, adding £139 to the average household bill.
This winter it could go up even more, with experts warning families could have to find £400 more to foot soaring costs.
We explain when is best to wash your clothes and other hacks to help you save money on your energy bills.
How much does it cost to run a washing machine?
It costs about 21p for an hour long cycle when you put on your washing machine.
Ovo estimates that a 6 litre washing machine uses around 1kWh of energy for an hour long cycle.
And energy regulator Ofgem says that from October 1, the typical household will pay 21p per kWh for electricity.
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When should I put my laundry on?
You could save money depending what tariff you're on and if your energy supplier charges more or less for your electricity at different times of the day.
Some energy providers can charge more during the times that most homes will be using appliances.
The most expensive time for you to wash or dry your clothes is between 4pm and 7pm, so try to avoid using your machines between these hours, if possible.
You could save cash if you're on an economy 7 or off peak tariff by putting your load on during less busy times.
says that you could be charged 9.76p for an off-peak electricity rate if you're on certain tariffs.
That means these customers could shave money off their bill just by washing at night.
However, be warned - leaving household appliances on at night while you're asleep could be a fire risk, so make sure you're awake.
How else can I save money on my energy bills?
There are other ways to drive down costs and save money on your energy bills.
Which? recently found that doing one big wash four times a week reduces energy consumption by 17% compared to someone doing three smaller washes every day.
If you’re on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for the warm home discount, which gets you £140 off your bills during the winter months.
The cold weather payment is a £25 grant for people on certain benefits when the temperature drops below zero for seven days.
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Using energy efficient appliances can shave money off your annual bill, and making sure your home is well insulated will help retain heat.
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