Wash clothes at one temperature to save on energy bills as clocks go back

Wash clothes at one temperature to save on energy bills as clocks go back As clocks go back on October 25, Britain's nights will become longer and our energy usage will increase - your washing machine doesn't have to add to it. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Parul Sharma 07:00, Thu, Oct 22, 2026 Washing clothes at this exact temperature can help reduce costs this winter (Image: Getty) With the clocks going back on Sunday, October 25 , Britain will be welcoming darker and longer evenings for the next few months. And while the nights are all set to get cosier, our energy consumption will also be increasing as we crank up the heating and use indoor lighting for longer periods of time. With the energy price cap going up to £1,723 per year from October 1 to December 31, 2026, the UK’s energy prices have gone up by 4% as compared to the last price cap period. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Amid these sharply rising energy costs, most of us are bound to be way more conscious of how much energy we’re using. Luckily, energy experts Fusion Electrical have a few top tips on how to keep energy bills down as the clocks go back on Sunday, including a couple of easy and effective changes you can make while doing some common household tasks. Get personal finance news, money saving tips and advice plus selcted offers and competitions I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . James Harrison, director of Fusion Electrical shares: “The end of BST is always a good indicator it's time to start thinking about proofing your home to not only keep it warm, but given the rise in energy prices, also eliminate any wastage. With the dark nights coming in, here are some good methods and checks to take to ensure you're winter ready.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Households urged to check washing machines as clocks go back Martin Lewis' easy change to thermostats 'saves 10% on heating bills' A few easy and effective changes around the house can help bring energy bills down (Image: Getty) Wash clothes at one exact temperature Doing the laundry is a common household task that takes up a decent amount of energy fairly regularly. However, there’s one exact temperature at which you can wash your clothes which will expend less overall energy and save you some money according to the experts. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT James advises: “Outside of heating, we do use other appliances more. We wear more layers and that means more washing. Wash your clothes at a lower temperature and save washing for full loads to save energy. Usually a 30°C wash is sufficient.” Avoid tumble-drying when possible In the same realm of laundry, there’s another change you can make to reduce energy costs, and it involves one of the most heavily energy-draining appliances — the tumble dryer. James explains: “Air-drying clothes indoors or even outdoors on dry days can significantly reduce the electricity usage that is needed for tumble-drying.” Use LED bulbs Another top tip from the electrical experts is to replace any older halogen or incandescent bulbs with LEDs, particularly in the rooms that you use most, before it starts getting dark too early. And it goes without saying that you should remember to turn the lights off whenever you leave a room. Keep energy bills down amid rising costs by making a few simple changes (Image: Getty) Stop draughts The energy experts say: “It’s the ideal time of year to check windows and doors for gaps and get those fixed whether it be through appropriate sealing or the use of draught excluders.” Make the most of daylight Another obvious yet actually effective piece of advice is to make the most of the daylight in the winter. James suggests: “If you fix those draughts, open curtains and blinds during the day and keep windows unobstructed to let more daylight in. This will not only reduce the amount of artificial lighting you’ll need, but it can help heat the room.” He adds: “Even in the winter, the sun can help heat a room. Close the curtains as the sun goes down to trap that natural heat in, as well as when the heating or fire goes on.” Set heating efficiently Another small yet highly impactful change is lowering the thermostat even by just 1°C. This can drastically help reduce heating costs, while still keeping your home comfortable. An easy way to employ this change is by using timers and smart thermostats, alongside ensuring the heating isn’t running unnecessarily all day. Experts recommend washing clothes at one specific temperature this winter (Image: Getty) Only heat the rooms you actually use James shares: “In the rooms you’re heating, keep doors closed to retain the heat. Turn off the heating in spare rooms and those not being used, or use your radiator controls to do this.” Don't block radiators Another obvious tip that’s always harped on about, but only because it’s actually so useful, is to ensure your radiators aren’t blocked. James explains: “You need the heat to circulate as effectively as possible to heat the home and furniture in front of it or clothes drying on top will prevent this.” Keep hot-water use down The experts recommend shorter showers in the winter. James explains: “A long, hot shower can be appealing on those cold winter mornings, but actually, shorter and unnecessarily high hot-water temperatures can save on your gas and electricity.” This small change to washing clothes can make a big difference (Image: Getty) Check your energy settings Last but not the least, if you have a smart meter, the electrical experts suggest taking the time to do a bit of analysis. James recommends: “Look at your usage during the darker evenings and identify appliances or heating periods that are consuming more energy than you expected. You can then make a call on what to do about that, whether it be turning things off or making tweaks to maximise efficiency. “What you should look to do is set your heating and lighting to your routine rather than simply putting everything on when you get home from work until bedtime. This small change repeated right throughout the winter can actually add up to some savings.” Energy bills Energy Property Heating Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments