Washers and can use about 3045 watts–that's the equivalent of 435 LED light bulbs! Fortunately, though, these are some of the simplest appliances to move into an off-peak routine. If you aren’t already on TOU, simply use this rate calculator to choose the rate plan that best matches your lifestyle and try to wash and dry your clothes during hours marked as “super off-peak” or “off-peak”. Those are the hours when you’ll get the best deal on electricity (the cheapest rate).

In addition to washing and drying your clothes during off-peak and super off-peak hours, you can save more by doing the following:

• Wash full loads, but don’t overfill
• Use shorter wash cycles when possible
• If your machine has an adjustable load option use it for smaller loads
• Wash with cold water
• Line dry what you can instead of using your dryer
• Clear your dryer’s lint filter after each load

 
TOU Smart Tip: Start your washer after dinner and then dry your clothes overnight. If you have a lot of laundry you need to get done, do it on the weekends when all hours are Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak.

Similar to your refrigerator, it may be difficult to only use your electric oven or stove during Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak hours, but considering the typical oven runs at 2,500 watts and stoves 1,500, at medium-high heat, using these appliances for an hour each day would account for 75 kWh (10,770 light bulbs) and 45 kWh (6,400 light bulbs), respectively. Additionally, running your oven during the day in hotter months increases the load on your air conditioner, causing you to spend more money on AC too.

So what can you do?

• Consider pre-cooking meals either before the late afternoon and early evening periods during Off-Peak hours and reheating when needed.
• If you like to bake, prep at any time and then bake during bake during Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak hours.
• Don’t use the preheat feature of your oven unless absolutely necessary
• Use smaller appliances like toaster ovens, microwaves, and slow cookers instead of always using the oven -especially during Peak hours.

 
TOU Smart Tip: Pre Cook meals during Off-peak hours and reheat when needed. Stagger using your oven and other larger appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine to cut your energy consumption and improve efficiencies.

Compared to handwashing, a dishwasher can actually help you save money once you factor in the water heating costs. However, dishwashers still consume a significant amount of electricity and because the appliance generates heat, running your dishwasher during hot summer days can unnecessarily heat your home and cause you to spend more money on AC. Fortunately, it’s easy to start the dishwasher before you go to bed or on weekends. Your dishwasher model may even have a built-in timer that you can set to turn on during the ideal money saving hours of the day–like overnight super off-peak periods.

In addition to washing your dishes during off-peak or super off-peak, doing the following things can help you save even more money.

• Wash full loads
• Turn off heated-dry
• Wash during cooler hours of the day
• Pre-rinse heavily soiled dishes to prevent the need for a second cycle

 
TOU Smart Tip: Get in the habit of starting your dishwasher at the end of the day to save more money and heat your home slightly during cooler night hours.