BRITS are trying to cut their energy use this winter over fears that bills will soar – and you could save money by waiting to use your dishwasher.
Big kitchen appliances like dishwashers and washing machines can be expensive to run, but there are ways of cutting costs.
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How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
A large chunk of your electricity bill will come from running your dishwasher, amounting to 8% of your bill, according to Energy Saving Trust.
It costs between £37 and £48 a year to run a standard size dishwasher.
The more efficient your appliance is, the less it will cost to run.
A dishwasher with a good energy efficiency rating will costs around £11 less per year than a low rated one.
When shall I put my dishwasher on?
Some energy firms charge less in the evenings if you’re on a specific tariff.
You could save cash if you’re on an economy 7 or off peak tariff by putting your dishwasher on during less busy times.
Quieter times – when electricity is cheapest – is usually between 10pm and 8am.
The most expensive time would be between 4pm and 7pm, so try to avoid using your machine between these hours, if possible.
That means these customers could shave money off their bill just by washing up at night.
However, be warned – leaving household appliances on at night while you’re asleep could be a fire risk, so make sure you’re awake.
You’ll only save money if you use as much as 40% of your electricity at night.
How else can I save money on my energy bills?
There are other ways to drive down costs and save money on your energy bills.
To make running a dishwasher cheaper, make sure you scrape all the food from your dishes before loading up the machine.
Aim for a full load but don’t put too many items in there.
If your appliance has an “eco” setting, you should use that so it uses less energy and water.
There are other tips to follow if you want to bring down your bills ovreall.
If you’re on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for the warm home discount, which gets you £140 off your bills during the winter months.
The cold weather payment is a £25 grant for people on certain benefits when the temperature drops below zero for seven days.
Buying a cheap draught excluder can help trap warm air in your home, reducing the need to put the heating on.
Using energy efficient appliances can shave money off your annual bill, and making sure your home is well insulated will help retain heat.
Energy price cap rise could leave more than five million households in the cold
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