Households can potentially save money by making one simple change to their laundry routine
Countless households are grappling with higher energy costs this winter after Ofgem’s latest 0.2% increase to the price cap, which followed a 2% hike between October and December. If you’re seeking tips and tools to help slash your bills, an Octopus Energy tip may help.
In its wealth of online guidance, the supplier simply advises Brits to wash clothes less and at a cooler temperature of 30 degrees. Estimates suggest this could save up to £27 per year on energy costs, while air-drying laundry could save an additional £50 on top (£77 overall).
Octopus Energy explains: “We’ve all heard ‘don’t leave the telly on standby’ and ‘only fill the kettle with the water you need’. It’s easy to tune them out, thinking they won’t make much difference. But small actions really do add up, and combined together you can stand to really save!”
Octopus Energy certainly isn’t the only firm with this view. In 2024, Which?’s consumer experts similarly argued that washing clothes at 30 degrees could reduce laundry costs by 38%, based on multiple tests.
At the time, they said: “Using appliances efficiently is also a good way to save money as many, including washer dryers and condenser tumble dryers, are costly to use.
“To save money, do laundry at 30 degrees instead of 40 as it makes it 38 per cent cheaper, according to Which?’s tests. Stacking dishwashers efficiently so that every item gets cleaned well – and only running the machine when it is full – will also shave a few more pounds off your bills.”
Beyond this, it’s essential to understand your washing machine’s energy rating and how it affects its efficiency. While A-rated appliances provide the highest efficiency and use the least energy, G-rated machines are at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Usually, this information can be found on the side of your washing machine. Salah Sun, head of product marketing at Beko, previously told the Express: “A washing machine at a B grade would be more efficient than a B oven, for example, as a washing machine’s ratings run from A to G, whereas an oven’s energy rating will run from A+++ to D.
“Knowing this difference can save you from buying what you believe to be an energy-efficient product, which isn’t.” He also added: “To get the most out of your washing machine, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right cycle for what you need.
“You won’t always need the highest temperature setting, which is ideal for heavily soiled items, you might be able to use a cooler temperature (and less energy) if you separate your laundry correctly.
“The right machine for you can save you money too, with an A-rated machine saving you up to £528 across its lifetime.”
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