How to reduce energy costs of running white goods appliances

Where White Goods Energy Use Comes From

Fridges and freezers run continuously but are relatively efficient. The appliances with the biggest energy impact are those with heating elements – washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, and ovens. In each case, the heating element accounts for the vast majority of the electricity consumed per cycle.

This is why running temperature is so significant for washing machines – a 40 degree wash uses substantially less energy than a 60 degree wash, because heating the water is where most of the electricity goes. Modern appliances have become considerably more efficient at each temperature, but the physics of heating water has not changed.

Appliance Efficiency Has Plateaued

Years of successive efficiency improvements to appliance design have produced diminishing returns. The difference in running cost between an A-rated appliance from several years ago and the best-rated equivalent today is often modest in practical terms. Replacing a functioning appliance purely to gain a small efficiency improvement rarely makes financial sense when the embodied energy of manufacturing a replacement is factored in.

Energy Tariffs and the Unit Price of Electricity

The running cost of any appliance depends on two things: how much electricity it uses, and how much each unit of electricity costs. Appliance efficiency improvements reduce the first number. Checking the energy tariff addresses the second – and the second is often a larger variable than the first.

The UK energy market has changed significantly since 2021. Ofgem’s energy price cap now limits what suppliers can charge domestic customers on default tariffs, which has changed the dynamics of switching. However, tariff structures and available deals still vary between suppliers, and it remains worth reviewing what is being paid at least once a year.

• 
  Check comparison sites for current tariff deals. Sites such as Uswitch and MoneySuperMarket compare available tariffs by postcode and usage. The Ofgem price cap applies to default and standard variable tariffs, but fixed rate deals and green tariffs may be available at different rates depending on the market at the time of checking.
• 
  Review the tariff at least once a year. Energy prices and the available deals change regularly. Setting a reminder to check annually ensures overpaying on a default tariff for years at a time is avoided.
• 
  Check whether a smart meter and off-peak tariff is available. Some suppliers offer time-of-use tariffs where electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours (typically overnight). Running the washing machine or dishwasher on a delay timer during these hours can meaningfully reduce running costs for high-frequency users.

Simple Appliance Use Habits That Reduce Energy Use

Wash at lower temperatures

Modern detergents work effectively at 30 and 40 degrees for normally soiled laundry. Reducing the wash temperature from 60 to 40 degrees cuts the energy used per cycle significantly. Reserve higher temperatures for heavily soiled loads and hygiene washes.

Run full loads

The energy cost of a washing machine or dishwasher cycle is largely fixed regardless of load size. A half-empty machine uses nearly as much electricity as a full one. Running fewer full loads rather than more partial loads reduces total energy consumption.

Line dry where possible

The tumble dryer is one of the most energy-intensive domestic appliances. Drying laundry on a line or airer when conditions allow eliminates this energy use entirely. Even partial line drying before a short tumble cycle reduces consumption.

Use the eco programme

Eco programmes on washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers are designed to minimise energy and water use per cycle. They typically take longer but use significantly less electricity than faster or higher-temperature programmes.

Related Guides

Should We Replace Old Appliances for Efficiency?
Whether replacing a working appliance with a more efficient one actually saves energy or money overall.


What Washing Machine Energy Labels Mean
How to read the energy label – and what the ratings actually translate to in real-world running costs.


Most Energy Efficient Tumble Dryers
Heat pump, condenser, and vented dryers compared on running costs – the biggest appliance energy saving available.


Best Energy Saving Washing Machines
Which washing machines offer the best efficiency ratings and what this means in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions