UTILITY ROOM
Of all household appliances, a new energy-efficient washing machine can save the most money on your bills – £308 per year, according to Which? Otherwise, stick to the mantra that short cycles with low temperatures (30C or less) are the way forward, although make sure you do the occasional hot wash to kill bacteria, Jackman says.
If you’re on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, your energy will be cheaper at night, but for most of us it doesn’t make a difference when you set off your wash.
By not using a dryer, you’ll immediately save £120 a year; if you can’t give it up, use a low temperature setting and clean the lint trap regularly. “If it’s clogged up, the machine has to work much harder,” Jackman says.