What these and all similar advices fail to recognise is that those of us who would most benefit from changing to a more favourable tariff cannot do so because we owe our existing supplier. For a variety of reasons often because of miscalculation or miss-advice by the supplier we have got into arrears. We would be faced with immediately repaying the balance outstanding on moving to a new supplier . We don’t because we cannot find that sum within a tight budget!
How to reduce energy costs of running white goods appliances
A big percentage of the energy we use in our homes is used by white goods appliances. Here's a simple way of reducing the energy costs running appliances.
Quick Answer
White goods - particularly those with heating elements such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, and ovens - account for a significant proportion of household electricity use. Appliance efficiency has improved considerably over decades, but checking the energy tariff being paid is often a more impactful way to reduce running costs than replacing a working appliance with a marginally more efficient one. Do not make the mistake of buying a lower quality appliance purely to save a small amount of energy if it will not last as long.
01Where 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.
02Appliance 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.
Don’t sacrifice quality for efficiency ratings
An appliance with a slightly better energy rating but shorter service life is not necessarily a better environmental or financial choice than a well-built machine with a slightly lower rating that lasts significantly longer. Build quality, reliability, and repairability are as important as the energy label figure. See our guide on whether replacing old appliances saves energy for a fuller analysis.
03Energy 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.
04Simple 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.
05Related 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.
06Frequently Asked Questions
Does replacing a washing machine with a more efficient one save money?
The saving depends on the difference in efficiency between the old and new machine and how frequently it is used. For a washing machine used several times a week, the annual energy saving from replacing a moderately efficient model with the most efficient equivalent is typically modest - often less than £20 to £40 per year. Against the purchase cost of a new machine, the payback period is long. Checking the energy tariff and running the machine on lower temperature programmes often delivers a larger and more immediate saving.
What uses the most electricity in a washing machine?
The heating element - the component that heats the water during the wash cycle - accounts for the majority of a washing machine’s electricity use per cycle. This is why wash temperature has such a significant effect on running costs. The motor, pump, and controls use a comparatively small amount of electricity. Modern heat pump technology in tumble dryers applies a similar principle - using less electricity to generate the same heat output.
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Discussion
6 Comments
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0 replies does anyone know if running a washing machine or dishwasher is more economic when the water supply is taken from the hot water through a combination boiler or supplied from the cold water feed
0 replies What these and all similar advices fail to recognise is that those of us who would most benefit from changing to a more favourable tariff cannot do so because we owe our existing supplier. For a variety of reasons often because of miscalculation or miss-advice by the supplier we have got into arrears. We would be faced with immediately repaying the balance outstanding on moving to a new supplier . We don't because we cannot find that sum within a tight budget!
0 replies Yes Alex, another example of companies making money out of consumer fears and/or laziness.
Yes Alex, another example of companies making money out of consumer fears and/or laziness.
0 replies A "comfort tariff" - Newspeak for "You pay us more than you need to"? And that's a Comfort to us......
A “comfort tariff” - Newspeak for “You pay us more than you need to”?
And that’s a Comfort to us……
0 replies This info and advice has been most useful and as I am about to buy a new machine will be particularly appropriate. The info on Service programmes and detergents is especially helpful and Ecconomy 7 myth too.
This info and advice has been most useful and as I am about to buy a new machine will be particularly appropriate. The info on Service programmes and detergents is especially helpful and Ecconomy 7 myth too.
does anyone know if running a washing machine or dishwasher is more economic when the water supply is taken from the hot water through a combination boiler or supplied from the cold water feed