Anyone with a washing machine in their kitchen given £148 warning
Large household appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers can be some of your home's largest energy parasites. But by taking some simple steps you've been ignoring for months, you can do something about it.
However, these items are necessary in our everyday lives and have become an accepted cause of large energy bills. Despite this, there are a large number of ways Brits can cut down their bills by using their washing machines more efficiently.
Just by regularly using a frequently-ignored feature and turning down temps could save as much as £156 a year. Read below for a full breakdown on what you can do to cut your washing machine costs.
Look after your appliances
It is recommended to carry out maintenance on your washing machine regularly. Proper maintenance includes cleaning out the pump filter every two months while you should clean the water inlet filter every six months.
Keeping your washing machine well-maintained will ensure that it runs as efficient as possible.
Use lower temperatures as much as you can
Most modern washing machines are extremely efficient at properly cleaning laundry. Because of this, they do not need higher temperatures to do a good job.
According to experts at Which?, dropping your washing temps to 30C could cut £22 while dropping further to 20C could save £37.
Switch on eco mode
Most modern washing machines come equipped with an eco button that helps your machine conserve energy while carrying out a wash. Energy experts at Bionic advise that this could save up to £111.98 a year on bills.
Les Roberts, Energy Expert at Bionic added: “Activating eco mode on your appliances is an easy and efficient way to cut down on energy use and lower your electricity bills. Although tasks might take a bit longer, the resulting energy savings and environmental benefits make it worthwhile.
“Over time, these minor adjustments can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and utility expenses, making eco settings a smart, cost-effective option for households mindful of their budget and the environment.”
Only wash full loads
Waiting until you have enough dirty laundry for a full load can help ensure that you're not doing an unnecessary amount of washes and thus spending more money on energy.