With staying stubbornly high, small changes in daily routines can lead to huge savings over time. One such habit most people are aware of by now is the timing of your , which households might accidentally be adding more to, especially during summer.

While it may seem harmless to throw on a load after work, this is exactly when energy use across the grid tends to spike. As a result, households may unknowingly be paying a premium every time they run their washing machines. isn't always fixed, as many providers now follow time-of-use tariffs, where the rate you pay for electricity fluctuates depending on the time of day.

An expert from Grant Store explained: "By avoiding peak hours and shifting high-usage appliances like washing machines to off-peak periods, you can cut down your bills with no loss in performance."

Peak demand tends to occur between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays, the exact window when many people get home from work and start on their household chores.

"Peak hours usually coincide with when households are most active - cooking dinner, watching TV, and using appliances. This drives up demand and can lead to higher charges per unit," the expert shared.

"Avoiding these peak windows can make a big difference, especially in summer."

According to the experts, the best time to wash is in the early hours, specifically before 9am, to avoid peak times.

"Summer mornings are typically cooler and see the lowest electricity demand, meaning you're likely to benefit from cheaper unit rates if you run appliances at that time," the expert said.

The cooler temperatures not only reduce general energy usage but also precede the afternoon surge driven by fans, cooling systems, and cooking appliances.

Although this advice is particularly beneficial for those on smart or TOU (Time Of Use) meters, households on standard variable plans can also benefit.

Lower demand across the grid helps to ease overall pressure, which in turn supports broader efficiency goals and can influence long-term pricing trends.

As well as timing, there are other simple tactics to slash laundry-related costs.

"Heating water accounts for about 90% of the energy used during a wash," explained the expert. "Switching from hot to warm can cut that in half - and using a cold wash saves even more."

Cold water cycles are safe for most modern fabrics, thanks to detergent formulas that perform well without heat. However, checking the instructions on the label is a must if you want to ensure proper fabric care.