Lower your energy bills by never washing clothes at this time of day

Energy bills aren't cheap, and even in the summer when the heating is off, there are some appliances that get heavier wear. Running about in hotter weather means clothes get grimy and sweaty sooner, requiring more washing. However, if your energy bill is creeping up, experts have revealed one of the best ways to keep a cap on your bill.

The most expensive time to use your appliances is between 4pm and 7pm, when everyone returns home and begins cooking, cleaning and making cups of tea. Gordon Wallis from Your NRG said: "A lot of households automatically put washing on in the early evening without realising that is usually when electricity demand is at its highest."

"Using appliances during off-peak periods can help reduce pressure on the grid and potentially lower energy costs for households on time-of-use tariffs."

If you want to optimise your bill, then it's better to run your washing machine either later in the evening, early morning or during the day if you can when the demand is lower.

Summer also offers another great opportunity to save money on laundry - ditch the tumble dryer.

Gordon said: "One of the biggest savings people can make during summer is simply avoiding unnecessary tumble dryer use after washing clothes."

"Using outdoor drying where possible can significantly reduce electricity consumption across the warmer months."

You can also save money by running a cooler wash, as heating the water in the machine takes a lot of energy. It's also a good idea to run larger washes rather than multiple small ones to improve efficiency.

Gordon added: "People often focus on switching suppliers to save money, but changing everyday habits inside the home can also make a real difference."

"Simple adjustments to when and how appliances are used can help households keep summer energy bills under control."