The Optimal Moment for Operating Your Washing Machine

It doesn't matter how appealing your laundry room may seem, doing wash is still a job—and a task that can drive up your energy expenses. In our view, laundry seems like one of those activities that is best tackled whenever you can drag yourself into the laundry room to sort, pre-treat stains, and load up the washer. Yet, it turns out that there are better and worse times to start the washer. The timing of washing your laundry piles is of particular importance if you’re looking to cut costs on your energy expenses or minimize your ecological impact (or both).

Determining the best time to run your washing machine can be a bit tricky, but it's worth the effort for saving money, reducing energy consumption, and making this chore slightly less burdensome. To help figure out the optimal time to run your washing machine, we looked to some professionals from across the South for tips on trimming your bill and making laundry a little less of a chore.

Understanding Peak and Off-Peak Hours

The secret to when to run the washing machine lies in timing, and this depends largely on location. The experts all agree that doing loads of laundry during peak hours—when a large number of electricity consumers are using electricity—will cost more. “Generally, most electric utilities will peak in late afternoons/early evenings during cooling seasons—typically between June and September, driven by air conditioner use in homes and businesses—so avoiding laundry in those times would be beneficial,” says Becky Williamson of Memphis Light, Gas & Water.

Best Times to Run the Washing Machine

When it's best to avoid using your washer to save money really depends on the specific energy usage in your area, including how electricity is being used and by whom. “For electric utilities serving an area where the majority of heating is electric, then the peak during heating seasons, say November through March, is likely early in the day, as heating systems, water heaters, and other activities start up when people begin their morning routines while businesses are simultaneously preparing for the workday,” explains Williamson of MLGW. ”Peaks typically occur during weekdays rather than weekends, as the commercial and industrial sectors’ loads are less on weekends when offices and some factories are closed.”

Consequently, many power companies across the South have programs that allow users to save money by running appliances when electricity usage is typically at its lowest, such as evenings, nights, and weekends. “If you’re located in Memphis, avoid doing laundry from 1-8 p.m., especially 4-8 p.m., weekdays, year-round,” recommends Williamson. To figure out the best time to avoid doing laundry in your area, it’s worth checking in with your local utility or looking on their website.

However, doing a load of laundry during peak hours may not have as substantial an impact on your bill as you might think to wait till it's convenient. “Heating and cooling equipment have a much larger direct impact on electricity use and system peak than washing clothes,” says Williamson. “A washing machine uses a very small amount of electricity to operate the motor, control panel, and signals.” That is especially true if clothes are washed in cold water and the water doesn’t need to be heated.

Yet, our ancestors were on the right track when they hung clothes out to dry in the sun. It turns out that the dryer has a significant impact on energy usage, far more so than the washing machine. “Clothes drying uses much more electricity and also creates humidity and waste heat, which increases a home’s need for cooling,” says Williamson.

For those in hotter regions (such as much of the South during the summer), timing those loads of laundry matters for keeping your home cool and efficient, notes Daniel Vasilevski, the Director and Owner of Bright Force Electrical. “Washing machines, like other appliances, generate a bit of heat while running, and even a slight temperature increase indoors can add to the load on your air conditioning. Running your washing machine in the evening or nighttime during warmer months helps you avoid that extra warmth when the sun is strongest. This way, you’re not making your air conditioner work harder than it needs to, saving on the energy your washing machine uses and helping keep your cooling costs down, keeping your home comfortable without adding extra strain.”

“When it comes to getting the most from your washing machine while negatively impacting your bill as little as possible, start by ensuring that it's an energy-efficient appliance,” says Gerald Freeman, an energy efficiency expert at Dominion Energy South Carolina. “From there, it’s mainly about water temperature and cycle timing.”

Additional Laundry Efficiency Practices

For those looking to trim their environmental footprint and their energy bill, WG Hickman, an electrician and HVAC expert, and owner of Tri-County Air Service in Mississippi has one additional tip. “If you have solar panels or participate in green energy programs, you’d better run your washing machine during daylight hours. This allows you to take advantage of clean energy production directly, which can significantly reduce your household’s carbon footprint.”

However, Hickman notes that it's not all about utility rates. "Noise, moisture control, and appliance longevity can also play a role in determining the best time to run a washer,” he says. “If your home has issues with high humidity and excessive moisture, then don’t use your washer on humid days unless you can ventilate the room well. And if ventilation is not an option, then run the machine in mid-morning, because the sun will help reduce moisture accumulation, preventing mold growth near your washer.”

Freeman mentions that Dominion Energy South Carolina suggests washing complete loads using cold water, as water heating could account for approximately 80% of the energy utilized during a wash cycle.

Similarly, Georgia Power concurs, stating, "The bulk of the energy consumed by washing machines is utilized for heating water. Utilizing cold water can notably decrease energy consumption while still effectively cleaning the majority of clothes."

Georgia Power also endorses washing fuller loads when feasible. "Washing full loads consumes energy more efficiently than conducting several smaller loads." Furthermore, they propose running cleaning cycles on your washing machine and inspecting for leaks or other problems to ensure your washing machine operates as efficiently as possible.

Conducting laundry remains a bit of a task, but knowing that it's possible to reduce heat and moisture, and save some cash on your bill definitely makes it a bit less of a chore.

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Southern Living magazine featured an article discussing ways to minimize energy expenses when doing laundry, such as running the washing machine during off-peak hours, as recommended by experts from Southern utility companies like Memphis Light, Gas & Water.

To ensure energy efficiency in their homes, homeowners can follow the advice of professionals from Southern Living and companies like Bright Force Electrical, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Georgia Power, who suggest running the washing machine during off-peak hours (like evenings, nights, and weekends) and washing full loads using cold water to save energy and money on utility bills.