How to cut costs WASHING MACHINES

Save money on laundry days with these useful energy-saving tips for your machine

It can feel like every day is wash day! Between the kids finding creative ways to get dirty and the puzzle of the bottomless laundry basket, your washing machine can work overtime and that can result in higher energy bills.

According to the Energy Saving Trust the average price (as of April 2022) per pence/kwh of electricity is 34.1p. We have rounded it to 34p. The main factors that affect costs are a machine’s efficiency rating, and wash length and temperature.

How much does a washing machine cost to run?

An example D-rated 9kg washing machine uses 0.76 kwh per cycle, which means each cycle costs 25.5p. Over a year of 270 cycles, that’s a cost of £67.50. Compare this to an A-rated machine which uses 0.49 kwh per cycle, which will cost 15p a cycle and £40.50 a year for the same use.

Lower temperatures help enormously. Which? found that switching from 40C to 20C saved 62% of the energy consumed.

Do some machines cost less to run than others?

Washing machines are one of the most heavily used appliances in the home. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that ‘wet’ appliances, ie washing machines and dishwashers, account for nearly 10% of a typical household’s energy bills. So it makes sense to choose the most efficient model you can afford.

Is eco mode a good option?

Heating the water accounts for most of the energy used in a hot wash – up to 90%. Eco cycles are longer programmes that clean at lower temperatures with less water to achieve the same results as a hotter, shorter cycle. They use between 35-59% less energy than a hot wash.

Does sensor washing save electricity?

More advanced washing machines detect how much laundry is in the drum by weighing it then washing it only for as long as it needs. This saves money and protects fabrics by not over-washing. ‘By sensing the size of the load and monitoring the wash programme, sensors adapt the cycle. This can save up to 45% on energy and 50% water,’ says Tim Buszka, head of brand and digital at Whirlpool.

How does the drum spray feature help?

Some machines have new techniques to make energy and detergent go further. This includes Hotpoint’s Gentlepower, which sprays water and detergent over the clothes, rather than rely on tumbling loads for even distribution. And LG’S Turbowash, which sprays laundry to help shorten wash time, reducing energy by 28%.

What about the load?

Don’t overload the drum as it can cause damage and prevent water and detergent circulating properly and you might have to re-wash clothes. A good rule is to leave a hand’s span width at the top of the drum.