3 Washing Machine Power Saving Tips That Actually Work

A washing machine can contribute up to 12% of a household’s electricity bill. In this blog post, we give useful tips for saving power. We will focus on the washing machine itself, how to utilise washing machine settings and some effective ways for optimising how you use your washing machine.

Tip 1: Buy an Energy Efficient Washing Machine 

The first thing you have to look at is the washing machine itself. How old is your current washing machine? Is there an energy efficiency rating? Modern washing machines are far more efficient than their older counterparts.

They use less water and power whilst making sure that your clothes are as clean as possible. Studies have shown that top load washing machines from the late 1990s consume 33 kWh per monthly use, with washing machines from 2010 consuming 13 kWh. When you compare electricity prices and costs, that’s a massive saving over time.

There are commonly two types of washing machines available: a top load or front load. The newest top-loading washing machines tend to be much more energy-efficient compared to front-loading washing machines.

When purchasing any new washing machine, we recommend reviewing the sale price as well as the energy star rating. The energy star rating will ensure that you are paying the lowest price possible in the long run.

Tip 2: Utilise the Washing Machine Settings

Modern washing machines come with plenty of customisable options for each wash cycle. Those settings that you see aren’t just for show; they are designed to make sure that your clothing items are cleaned efficiently based on their material. If you are washing delicates, heavy items or wool, there is most likely an appropriate cycle option you can choose from. 

The cold water setting is also great for saving on power costs. In many cases a cold water wash cycle is just as good as using warm water. Detergents are still effective when using cold water; this was not the case before but it is now.

You can also manage the water height level manually. Some washing machines have an automatic setting but you can manually set the water depth yourself as the automatic setting may not be the most accurate.

Tip 3: Wash a Full Load of Clothes 

When you are doing any laundry, you want to ideally fill the washing machine to the top. People commonly underload rather than overload their washing machines.

While modern washing machines come with sensors to ensure that they are more water efficient, one wash cycle still consumes a similar amount of power. Washing one full load of clothes will take less energy compared to washing two smaller loads of clothes.

At glimp, we provide many comparison tools to help you compare power companies and save money. If you are looking for more ways to save money on common household utilities, check out our Information Centre for a wealth of information about power saving tips, broadband providers and much more.