Customers of British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus who adhere to an eight-hour rule are being rewarded with a £184 reduction on their energy bills. John Small, a Home Energy Expert at Ty Eco, has revealed how a simple adjustment can help households decrease their energy consumption and save money simultaneously.
According to high street giant Currys, the average cost of a tumble dryer cycle is £1.54, totalling £184 annually. However, operating your tumble dryer during off-peak hours can significantly reduce your electricity bill.
John explained: "Economy or time-of-use tariffs can help you cut the cost of appliances like a tumble dryer by offering cheaper rates for energy used during off-peak hours. For example, British Gas offers Economy 7 tariffs and two rate meters, with energy used between 12-8am costing significantly less.
"They also offer PeakSave Sundays, where electricity between 11 am and 4 pm is half-price. Another popular energy provider, Ovo, offers two money-saving plans. With Off-Peak E, you get eight hours at the cheapest rate for stored heat each day, while Off-Peak F provides 10.5 hours a day at lower prices."
He further advised: "With this in mind, I recommend scheduling your tumble drying overnight to save money. Most dryers have a 'delay' function, allowing you to schedule it for a couple of hours before you wake up, so your clothing isn't sitting damp for hours overnight.", reports Birmingham Live.
An Economy 7 tariff could be beneficial if you utilise more electricity during the night, for instance, for electric storage heaters or charging an electric vehicle (EV). The rates for on- and off-peak usage can differ, so it's advisable to compare deals.
If your electricity usage is low at night, a single rate tariff might be more cost-effective. To ensure accurate billing, you'll need an electricity meter that separately records peak and off-peak consumption.
This could be a special two-rate (or 'dual-rate') meter, or a smart meter capable of offering different rates at different times. If you're already on an Economy 7 tariff and suspect your meter isn't correct, get in touch with your supplier promptly.
