Electrical appliances such as washing machines can cost more to use at certain peak times during the day.
As energy prices rise, many will be looking for ways to save money on their gas and electric bills. One way to save money is to avoid these peak hours.
This month, energy prices jumped up from £1,971 to £2,500 for the typical household. While the typical bill will be capped at £2,500, you could pay more if you use more than average.
This comes as off peak energy use - which already costs less than peak hour use - is being incentivised by the National Grid, who are offering money-back on bills for reducing consumption during busy periods.
As reported by the Express, Alice Beer - consumer expert at This Morning - has revealed some ways to conserve your energy usage and the best times to be using your appliances.
She said: “Never, ever doing half loads. One full load is much less energy than two half loads, that’s obvious.
“It’s more efficient to use a dishwasher than washing up by hand - especially if you keep a tap running.
“Then think about what you’re using in the kitchen - kettle, it honestly saves you money and helps the UK’s electricity supply if you’re just boiling the amount of water you need.
“Think about using the microwave instead of using a cooker when you can - much cheaper to use a microwave,” the expert added.
“Lots of people asking me if I should switch to an off-peak tariff, look at how that works for you.
“We should all be thinking of using a lot less energy in that peak period [which is] 6pm-8pm at night.
“Can you switch to having your meal a bit earlier or later perhaps? Certainly not using the dishwasher between 6-8pm is a no-go,” Alice remarked.
Got your own top tips? Share them in the comments below.
She also had some advice for reducing water consumption and in turn, bills. Alice explained: “There are three different thermostatic controls that you should have a look at. The first one is the one that is usually in your hall and it’s a dial.
“A lot of people won’t have their heating on at the moment, according to British Gas, the majority of the nation will switch theirs on in the week beginning October 24, that’s half term week and when it gets about 9 degrees outside, we turn the heating on.
“One in five have got that set at 22 degrees - that's Lanzarote temperatures!” She exclaimed. "What it should be set at is somewhere around 18 degrees.
"We know that if you turn it down one degree, that will save you - with current figures - at least £80 a year. So that is one vital thing that we should all be doing.”
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