January’s chill often leads to a rise in electricity bills as people crank up the heating, but experts have revealed a straightforward way to reduce your bills.
Washing machines, despite being used just a few times a week, can significantly contribute to energy costs. Love 2 Laundry experts suggest a simple way to lower bills and it is all to do with doing your laundry at the most energy-efficient time of day.
They advise: “The best time to do laundry to save electricity is to avoid peak hours which are from 4pm to 8pm, and if you do laundry on the weekend, then you can save more electricity than the normal consumption.”
Most people typically do a load of laundry after work, during late afternoon or early evening, putting pressure on the power grid and increasing energy prices due to higher consumption rates.
According to the experts: “Peak hours are the time when the per unit charge of electricity consumption is doubled because people use all the electronic appliances simultaneously, and for that, more electricity is required.”
To save money on energy bills, consider washing clothes in the morning or late evening during off-peak hours, reports the Express.
“These hours start from 11pm to 7am, and the unit consumption is low during this time and when you run your washing machine for an hour or two non-stop, it won’t take a lot of electricity.”
One straightforward tip is to wash clothes at a lower temperature when possible, as most laundry doesn’t require a 90C cycle.
While items such as bedding, towels, and coats should be washed at a minimum of 60C to eliminate bacteria, everyday garments are fine at 40C or even 30C. Additionally, keep an eye on the weather forecast before tackling a big load of laundry.
As temperatures start to rise, you might find sunny days that are perfect for air-drying clothes outside instead of using a tumble dryer.
An expert advises: “The best time to do laundry to save electricity is to check the weather first, see if the sun is shining brighter or wind is blowing strongly. These conditions will allow your clothes to dry quickly.”
It’s also worth considering hanging heavier items like jeans to dry, rather than using a dryer, as they take longer to dry and are more prone to damage from high heat.