• Early mornings (7am–10am) as people wake up, cook, shower, and head to work
• Early evenings (4pm–9pm) when people return home, cook dinner, watch TV, or start chores
During these windows, the grid is under the most strain, and energy is often more expensive and carbon-intensive because fossil-fuel-powered plants are used to meet the surge in demand.
You pay the same rate for electricity no matter when you use it. But using less during peak hours still helps reduce overall demand on the grid, which can make the energy system greener and more stable.
If you're on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff:
You’ll pay cheaper rates during off-peak hours (usually overnight), making it even more beneficial to delay usage of heavy appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and storage heaters.
Whether you’re on a time-of-use tariff or just want to be more efficient, here are some appliance-specific tips:
• Best time to use: After 10pm or before 7am (off-peak), or between 11am–4pm if you’re home during the day
• Energy tip: Wash at 30°C and dry outside when possible... it can halve the energy used
• Best time to use: Late evening or overnight.
• Energy tip: Only run it when full and use eco mode — it uses less water and power.
• Best time to use: Overnight (midnight to 7am), especially if you're on a smart or EV-friendly tariff.
• Energy tip: Use a smart charger to schedule when your car draws power.
• These are quick-use items but avoiding use during 5pm–9pm on winter weekdays can help ease peak-time pressure — especially during National Grid "Power Hour" events.
• Smart plugs: Automate when devices come on or off — perfect for slow cookers, heaters or chargers.
• Smart meters: Track your energy use in real time so you can spot when you’re using the most.
• Timer functions on appliances: Many machines now have built-in delay settings — set them to run overnight instead of right after dinner.
Shifting your energy use to off-peak hours doesn’t just save you money... it also makes the grid more sustainable. Less demand during peak periods reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports a smoother transition to renewables like wind and solar.
You’ll also be playing your part in lowering the risk of blackouts, keeping costs down for everyone, and helping the UK hit its Net Zero goals.
Using your washing machine at 10pm instead of 6pm might seem like a small change... but multiplied across thousands of homes, it makes a huge difference. Smarter energy use is one of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to live more sustainably.
And remember, at help4homes, we’re always here to help you reduce your bills and energy footprint... whether through smart habits, expert advice, or low carbon home upgrades.
