Why is it Cheaper To Use The Washing Machine at Night?

Why is it cheaper to use the washing machine at night? Well, as bizarre as it might sound, this is quite true. Yes, there is a time hack available when and where it is the most ‘feasible’ in terms of electric bills to run your electronic appliances. After all, the electricity companies are a business too, and they have their own ‘peak hours’ when they know the electricity demand is quite high. This could be the time after the people get home from work, the evenings when everyone is ‘functioning’ and the mornings when it is ‘after the very-early morning hours’ as everyone needs to start their day and do their chores. 

So, there is a time bracket within the 24 hours that we have where there is a specific ‘peak hour’ and a ‘cheap hour’; the trick is to get to know what these are in your area and town. One of the best ways to get to know the same is to contact the electricity company that operates in your area or do a simple Google search. 

Why is it Cheaper To Use The Washing Machine at Night?

In India, the cheapest time to run a washing machine is between ‘1 am-5 am’. Quite a graveyard shift, we’d say, but it is what it is. So, to make the most of this, you can program your washing machine to run the wash cycle automatically around this time. Also, one needs to understand better a few basic terms and what they stand for when it comes to energy-saving hacks. 

To start with, the peak hour is generally between 10 pm to 8 am. It is during this time pocket that the electricity demand is the lowest. As mentioned earlier, this is the time the world generally ‘sleeps’, and the use of electricity is the lowest. Hence, it would also be a great time to get your laundry done. It is worth knowing that according to Energy Services, there are around eight hours when the rates are the lowest. While this could start at 10 pm, it could last for the next three, five or eight hours depending upon the country you belong to or the area you reside at. However, the ‘safest peak’ hours are between 1:30 pm to 4 pm, at night, between 10 pm to 7 am, and the cheapest on being between 4 am to 2:30 am. 

So, Can you save electricity by washing clothes at night? You bet. While it may take some effort from your side to work out how to get this done, this is the most feasible time if you have been struggling with electricity bills lately.  

Note: While this might sound like a dream come true for some of us, nevertheless, it has its risks. You need to keep in mind that it is never a smart choice to leave an electronic appliance running unattended through the night. 

Other Ways to Save Electricity When Running a Washing Machine

The cheap hour seems a great idea for washing clothes, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. So, are there other ways to save electricity in the laundry? Well, there sure is; read on:

  • One of the best ways to keep check is to wash clothes in a ‘lightweight pile’ each time. Most times, we tend to overload our machines ( mostly Indians). While one might believe this is a great way to get all the washing done in a single go, you cannot be much further than the truth. Your washing machine tends to pull more electricity when overloaded! So, you see, you are not getting any savings done here anyways. The smarter way is to group up your dirty clothes in ‘sensible batches’ like whiles, colours, delicate and others as such and run the cycle likewise. 
  • The other method is not to run a half-empty cycle each time. This implies that on the other side of the sensible spectrum, it is not smart to run a wash cycle with just a few clothes in them each time. So, you need to strike a balance and sketch out a schedule that works well in terms of the timing, load, and frequency of running a washing machine every time. 
  • Running a wash cycle at low temperatures is yet another great way to save electricity when running a wash cycle. A temperature of 30 degrees is great, which can cut your electricity consumption by ‘half’! So, think next time when you plan on running a cycle at 40 or 60 degrees. 
  • Checking the Star-ratings is yet another great way to get the most out of your appliance. This is easily displayed at the top of your appliance or in the manual. So, go for higher star ratings to make the best out of the appliance. 
  • Also, did you know that the older your washing machine is more is, the more electricity it tends to pull? Yes, so while it may sound great to declare that ‘this old man has been by my side for the last 20 years’, you don’t realize that the old man (pun intended) has been draining your energy more than you have bargained for. 

Why is it Cheaper To Use The Washing Machine at Night?: The Conclusion

So, now you know why it is better to use the washing machine at night? This and all the stated pointers on electricity savings when doing your laundry in a washing machine. Before we sign off, it is important to remember that there also exists an ‘off-peak’ tariff where you can easily get the most out of savings on electricity. This can be found if you carefully scan your electricity bills, which are hidden there. Also, the other way to find out the same is to contact your electricity provider, who can inform you about the existence of the off-peak tariff.

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