Peak hours may vary depending on your location, but in general, it's best to avoid washing clothes between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. If you can, you'll often save money by doing your laundry before sunrise or late at night. However, peak electricity usage hours are also influenced by the day of the week and the seasons.
"If possible, I would recommend using the time delay setting on your washing machine, as this function allows you to control when a washing cycle starts. Given that energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, I would advise scheduling your washing machine to run into the early hours of the morning.
What is the cheapest time to use your washing machine? According to the Daily Record, the most expensive time to use your washing machine or tumble dryer is between 4pm and 7pm. Energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, but make sure you never leave it on over night as this could be a fire risk.
It's cheaper at night, when demand for power is at its lowest. This quieter period is called the off-peak hours, which usually falls between 10pm and 8am. Conversely, peak hours are during the daytime, when more people are using electricity and demand is higher. Not all energy suppliers follow time-of-use tariffs.
Run your machines later in the day
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. Energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am – perfect for night owls and early risers.
The firm said: 'If you have a two-rate meter, use devices such as your washing machine and tumble dryer between midnight and 7am when rates are cheaper. ' However, it's not advised to leave a washer going overnight while you're asleep – as it's a potential fire risk.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving clothes in the washer for more than 8 to 12 hours.
Off-peak electricity times are those when the grid is experiencing less demand for power. Off-peak times are generally throughout the later evening and early morning on weekdays, usually 10pm to 7am. The middle of the day and weekends are typically considered to be 'shoulder' periods.
In general, Off-Peak hours begin at 09:30 from Monday to Friday in cities and large towns, and at 09:00 everywhere else.
Electricity prices are higher during peak demand hours and lower during off-peak hours. Peak times may vary by rate and/or energy provider but are generally defined as the hours between 4 to 9PM.
Peak hours in the summer are typically between about 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. due to the increased need for air conditioning during these times. If possible, try to wash your laundry earlier in the morning or after 8 p.m. for the greatest energy savings.
The most expensive time to wash your clothes is between 4pm and 7pm.
Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than higher temperatures will save around 40% of the energy used each year.
Since about 80 to 90 percent of each wash cycle's energy usage can be attributed to heating the water, one of the easiest ways to save on laundry is to turn down the temperature. A short 30 degree cycle should be perfectly adequate and will use around 40 percent of the energy than a warmer one.
But it will cost you – running costs increase by more than half if you wash at 60°C as opposed to 40°C. What about bacteria? You might be washing at 60°C because you've heard it kills bacteria, but the temperature on its own doesn't.
All times referred to are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Peak = 7am-5pm weekdays, Off-Peak = 10pm-7am and all weekend, Shoulder = 5pm-10pm weekdays. All times referred to are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Peak = 7am-9am and 5pm-8pm, Off-Peak = 10pm-7am, Shoulder = all other times.
For instance, according to Australian Power and Gas (APG), peak times to use electricity is generally 4pm to 8pm on weekdays. Then there are 'shoulder' times, which sit between peak and off-peak times. APG considers shoulder times to be between: 7am- 4pm and 8pm – 10pm on weekdays.
You should buy units on the 1st of the month because the rate per unit increases as the month goes on. The City has an inclining block tariff which is refreshed every month, so if you only purchase in the first block, you pay the same amount; the higher cost of the second block kicks in once you reach the threshold.
Off peak charges apply from 10pm to 7am, every day. 10pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Off peak charges apply 10pm to 7am Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays.
Is a 15-Minute Wash Cycle Long Enough? The answer to this question will depend on what you are trying to wash. If you wanted to quickly wash a small batch of clothes that don't have any staining on them then yes, a short wash can be a great idea as it will freshen up your clothes and leave them smelling great.
Try washing before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m. – Many energy companies charge extra for electricity during their “peak hours,” which see increased energy usage. During the summer, run your washer early in the morning – energy use peaks on hot afternoons.
A 30-minute-long wash can clean clothes, but the laundry in question must not be very dirty to start off with. If the items in question are only lightly soiled, a 30-minute wash should be able to spruce these items up.