Households with washing machines across the UK are being tipped off about a savvy method that could help them save cash. Energy bills jumped up by 10% on October 1, amid the Ofgem energy price cap rise in Scotland, England and Wales.
With typical households now facing potential cost increases to ‘£1,717 per year’, it’s no wonder that people are searching for ways to cut costs. Now, specialists have revealed a rather unexpected way to do so.
Consumer experts at Which? are among them, having identified the ‘exact temperature’ you should wash clothes on, if you’re keen to slash a few pounds off your bills. The team carried out a number of tests which unveiled that a specific heat setting could make your appliance use an unbelievable ‘38% cheaper’.
They explained: “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% 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.”
Salah Sun, head of product marketing at Beko, echoed this too, adding: “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.” Knowing your washing machine’s energy rating may also help you get a grasp on just how efficient it is.
While A-rated appliances are most efficient and use the least energy, G-ranked machines are the complete opposite. Usually, you can find this information on the side of your washing machine.
Sun continued: “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 later added: “Whether you’re focusing more on switching standby off or you’re finding appliances with the best energy ratings, every little helps when it comes to saving money at the moment. It is important that, even without your smart meter, you know how much each appliance is costing you and how to get the most for your money while they’re running.”