It's generally cheaper to do laundry at night or during off-peak hours (early morning/late evening/weekends) if you're on a time-of-use (TOU) energy plan, as electricity rates are lower when demand is low, but it depends on your specific energy provider and tariff. Daytime, especially peak weekday hours (e.g., 4-9 PM), usually costs more due to higher energy demand, though some older plans have flat rates.
Many energy experts point to a "sweet spot" between 10pm and 8am as prime time for cheaper rates. Some even suggest a sweet spot between 7am and 8am if you prefer not to run your machine overnight.
Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation. In order to get the best possible wash, you also need to use top-quality products.
In many parts of the U.S., electricity is cleaner and more efficiently distributed during off-peak hours. That means washing early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) or later at night (after 8 p.m.) can ease pressure on the grid and help reduce the emissions linked to your laundry routine.
Yes, doing laundry at night is often cheaper due to lower energy demand and rates. It's considered the best time to do laundry to reduce electricity costs.
The best times of day to do laundry are usually any time outside of 7 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., which are usually peak hours for power grid demand.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) typically runs up an electric bill the most, often accounting for around 40% of energy usage, followed by water heating, large appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers, and lighting. The biggest energy drains are systems that change air temperature (furnaces, air conditioners) and appliances that heat water (showers, dishwashers) or run for extended periods (dryers, fridges).
Laundry activities, despite being a mundane necessity, create noise. Conducting such activities during prescribed quiet hours, usually between 10 pm and 7 am, may become a basis for complaints. A late-night spin cycle at 2 am, while acceptable in a standalone suburban home, would likely upset your apartment neighbors.
Electricity is generally cheapest during off-peak hours, which are usually late at night (around 10 PM to 7 AM) and early mornings, and all day on weekends, when demand is lowest; however, some plans offer "solar sponge" or "midday" periods where electricity is cheapest during the day (like 9 AM - 3 PM) due to high solar generation, so check your specific provider's time-of-use tariff.
Washers and dryers are some of the largest energy users. Save by doing the following: Try to do laundry on weekends when there are no Peak hours. On weekdays, run washers and dryers during Off-Peak hours: before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
Smart Ways to Cut Laundry Costs Without Compromise
During the winter, electricity demand is highest in the morning hours between 7 and 9 am when people are waking up and turning up their heat. Doing laundry in the evening is your safest bet.
How Can I Save Money on Laundry?
Reducing Electricity Use and Costs
Switch your kettle off at the wall when not in use
Does leaving a kettle plugged in use electricity? Yes. And while this won't add up to riches, making sure your kettle is turned off at the plug can help you save some pennies.
If you have a 2100W (2.1 kW) washing machine and you run it for an hour, it'll use 2.1kWh of electricity in that hour. If electricity costs 34p per unit, multiply 2.1kWh by 34p and you get a grand total of 71p. Bingo, that's how much your washing machine costs per hour.
Run the dishwasher during non-peak electricity hours
One trick to cut down on your electricity costs is to run your dishwasher when the price is low. Generally speaking, it's cheaper to run your dishwasher later at night, before you're getting ready to go to bed and most people have turned off most of their appliances.
Time of use encourages you to use less power during periods of high demand. Peak rates are charged at times of low supply and high demand on the grid, like in the evening. Off-peak rates are charged at times of low demand on the grid, like overnight.
The best times of day to do laundry are usually any time outside of 7 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., which are usually peak hours for power grid demand.
Nighttime humidity can prevent proper drying and cause unpleasant odors to permeate the laundry. The moon is said to have a bleaching effect that can discolor and damage fabrics. Laundry can also collect dust or be exposed to morning dew.
Mildew loves damp places that don't get a lot of airflow, and it's capable of growing on any damp surface within just 24 to 48 hours. It can grow on clothes if you leave wet laundry in the washing machine for too long.
Appliances like washing machines are known to vibrate, even high-tech new ones. The sound can travel through the floor and walls to your neighbors. Location matters as well. If said vibrating washing machine is located right underneath or above your neighbor's home office, it could be particularly problematic.
Did you know that when your appliances or electronic devices are plugged in, they're draining energy – even if they're not in use? Phantom power, also called standby power, refers to the energy that's wasted around your home when devices are plugged in and using power, but you're not actively using them.
Microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, and electric kettles often have clocks, digital displays, or sensors that remain active even when the appliances aren't being used. These features, while handy, drain energy continuously.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) typically runs up an electric bill the most, often accounting for around 40% of energy usage, followed by water heating, large appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers, and lighting. The biggest energy drains are systems that change air temperature (furnaces, air conditioners) and appliances that heat water (showers, dishwashers) or run for extended periods (dryers, fridges).