What’s the best time of day to run your dishwasher and save money?

As energy bills across the nation continue to rise this winter, homeowners are searching for ways to cut costs.

While many focus on turning down the thermostat or limiting heating usage, an often-overlooked strategy is timing the use of household appliances like dishwashers – something that could make a significant difference to your monthly energy bill.

People often underestimate how much energy is consumed by household appliances during peak hours. By adjusting the timing of your dishwasher cycles, you can reduce costs without changing your overall energy usage.

In this article, energy expert Llewellyn Kinch of MakeMyHouseGreen lists the best times of the day to run your dishwasher, plus more advice on how to minimise the costs of using it.

The best times to run your dishwasher – and save money

To make the most of energy savings, try to avoid using your dishwasher during peak demand times when energy is most expensive. Instead, aim to use it during off-peak hours, typically when fewer people are using electricity and rates are lower. 

Run your dishwasher late evening/night (After 10 pm)

One of the best times to run your dishwasher is after 10 pm when electricity demand has significantly decreased. Many UK energy providers offer Time-of-Use (TOU) tariffs, meaning that energy prices drop late at night, making it an ideal time for energy-intensive appliances.

Run your dishwasher early morning (Before 7 am)

For those who prefer to get things done in the morning, the period before 7 am also falls within off-peak hours. Running your dishwasher early allows you to avoid the morning energy rush, helping to lower your energy costs.

Avoid peak hours (4 pm to 9 pm)

Energy prices tend to spike between 4 pm and 9 pm when households are cooking dinner, watching TV, and generally using more appliances. Avoid using your dishwasher during these hours to save money.

Using your dishwasher during off-peak hours can result in substantial savings over time. Many energy providers in the UK have peak pricing structures, so if you’re using your appliances during those high-demand times, you could be paying far more than you need to.

Off-peak hours vary depending on providers, so make sure to check your bills or provider’s website to check when these are. 

Avoid these five expensive dishwasher mistakes

Timing isn’t the only factor that affects how much energy your dishwasher uses. There are several common habits, which Kinch lists here, that could be driving up your energy consumption and costing you money unnecessarily.

1) Running half loads

A lot of people run their dishwasher when it’s only half full, thinking it’s convenient. However, dishwashers use the same amount of water and energy regardless of the load size. Always aim to run a full load to maximise efficiency.

2) Skipping eco mode

Modern dishwashers are equipped with an energy-saving eco mode, which uses less water and lower temperatures. Although this setting may take a little longer, it saves significant amounts of energy without compromising on cleanliness.

3) Pre-rinsing dishes

Pre-rinsing dishes can actually be counterproductive. Most modern dishwashers are designed to handle food residues, so pre-rinsing wastes both water and energy. Simply scrape off large food pieces, load your dishes, and let the machine do its job.

4) Using heated dry

Most dishwashers offer a heated dry feature which consumes a lot of extra energy. Instead, switch off the heated dry option and allow your dishes to air dry. This simple change reduces energy usage without the extra effort.

5) Using hot water inefficiently

Many dishwashers have internal heaters that efficiently heat water to the necessary temperature. Make sure your dishwasher is using this feature rather than drawing excessively hot water from your main supply.

More tips for efficient dishwashing this winter

To help you make the most of these energy-saving tips, here are a few easy adjustments that Kinch says you can incorporate into your daily routine:

  • Use the delay start feature: Most modern dishwashers come with a delay start option. You can set it to run during off-peak hours, ensuring you avoid peak-time charges without staying up late to manually turn it on.
  • Use energy-saving modes: Always use the eco or energy-saving modes on your dishwasher. These settings lower water usage and reduce the energy needed to heat water.
  • Run full loads only: Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded before running a cycle, maximising water and energy efficiency.

Save energy when running your dishwasher 

Simple adjustments, like shifting your dishwasher usage to off-peak hours and using eco mode, can have a real impact on your energy bill. During winter, when energy consumption is typically at its highest, every little change helps.

Appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers tend to use significant energy, especially when run during peak hours. By making a conscious effort to use these devices during off-peak periods – typically late at night or early in the morning – you can benefit from reduced electricity rates if you’re on a Time-of-Use (TOU) tariff.

It’s equally important to focus on maximising the efficiency of appliances. For example, running your dishwasher on eco mode can lower the water temperature and reduce energy consumption. These small, mindful adjustments add up over time and can make such a difference to your energy bills.

Make My House Green is a solar platform that helps save UK homeowners thousands each year and make the most environmentally friendly choices with a complete end-to-end service focused on helping you choose the right solar panel system for your home, to arranging and delivering the installation.

They’ve analysed over 40,000 homes across the country and used tens of thousands of data points to provide you with the most transparent understanding of the cost and future savings specifically available to your home.