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Reducing Energy Bills: Simple Changes to Your Laundry Routine Can Save You £50 a Year

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Households across the UK are facing increased energy costs this winter, but with some simple changes to your laundry routine, you could potentially save £50 a year. Octopus Energy suggests using a washing line or clothes horse to dry your clothes instead of a tumble dryer, as these machines can be energy-intensive, especially older models with lower efficiency ratings. Additionally, the Energy Saving Trust recommends lowering the temperature of your usual laundry wash and avoiding drying clothes on radiators, which can make your boiler work harder.

Key Takeaways:

  • Using a washing line or clothes horse to dry clothes instead of a tumble dryer can save £50 a year, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
  • Lowering the temperature of your laundry wash can also help reduce energy costs, with the European Union's Ecodesign initiative making a 20-degree option compulsory on new machine models since 2013.
  • Washing clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 can make laundry '38% cheaper', according to Which.
  • Regular maintenance and cleaning of your washing machine is essential to ensure it operates at peak efficiency.
  • The Energy Saving Trust also recommends stacking dishwashers efficiently and only running the machine when it's full to save money.
  • Octopus Energy's energy-saving tip cites guidance from the UK's Energy Saving Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping people save energy and lower their bills.

Statistics:

  • Using a washing line or clothes horse to dry clothes instead of a tumble dryer can save £50 a year (Energy Savings Trust).
  • Washing clothes at 30 degrees instead of 40 can make laundry '38% cheaper' (Which).
  • Since 2013, the European Union's Ecodesign initiative has made a 20-degree option compulsory on new machine models.
  • Regular maintenance and cleaning of your washing machine can prevent limescale, soap scum, and mould build-up, which can lead to increased energy costs.

Sources:

  • Octopus Energy, "Energy-saving tips" online blog
  • Energy Saving Trust, "Laundry tips" online guidance
  • Which, "Consumer expert claims washing clothes at 30 degrees can make it 38% cheaper" (last year)
  • European Union, Ecodesign initiative guidance (2013)
  • Mirror, "How to keep your washing machine clean" (2024)

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