Two money experts, including Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis, have revealed exactly when to use your dishwasher to avoid higher prices. They explained you could save money by using appliances at certain times of day, but only if you have an economy 7 or time-of-use tariff, which bases price on time and demand.
Liz Hunter, Commercial Director at comparison site Money Expert, explained prices surge at times of high demand, and fall during off-peak hours. She said: "Electricity demand is highest between 7am and 9am when most people are waking up, and after school or work between 3:00pm and 6:00pm." The expert added best time to use white appliances, such as dishwashers, would be "before 7am, or late at night" to beat the hikes.
However, Martin Lewis reminded customers that the time of day makes no difference at all unless you have the applicable tariffs, because a standard variable or fixed tariff doesn't consider timings, even with a smart meter.
Time-of-use tariffs update their prices based on demand across the country, sometimes every 30 minutes, so prices fall as demand does, and rises as it soars.
This is why Martin Lewis warned on his Money Saving Expert website in January: "Done right, it can save you money. Done wrong, it can cost you more."
Using energy at peak hours can cost householders more than they planned for, so these type of tariffs require a bit of time planning.
Ms Hunter encouraged billpayers to contact their energy supplier if they are facing difficulties keeping up with payments.
Options could include agreeing a monthly payment plan, signing up for a different tariff, having more time to pay, getting payment breaks or getting access to grants or funds.
She added: "For immediate help, if you are in an urgent financial crisis, there are many organisations and charities that can help provide support too, including Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper, National Energy Action, National Debtline and StepChange."
