HOUSEHOLDS are desperately trying to cut their energy usage ahead of winter bill hikes - here's how to save cash running your dishwasher.
Big kitchen appliances like dishwashers and washing machines can be expensive to run, but there are ways of cutting costs.
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You could be hit with a big bill sting if you don't keep on top of running costs this winter, as bills are set to soar to £3,549 on average from October 1.
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
A large chunk of your electricity bill will come from running your dishwasher, amounting to 8% of your bill, according to Energy Saving Trust.
GoCompare estimates that it currently costs 29.04p to 42p to run your dishwasher for an hour - which will jump to between 54.06p and 78p once the new price cap comes into force in October.
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The cost range covers variations in models of dishwashers, and how much energy they use to run.
It means running your dishwasher every day for a year currently costs between £106 and £153.30, and will hike to between £197.32 and £284.70 a year when the new price cap rolls out.
The more efficient your appliance is, the less it will cost to run.
When shall I put my dishwasher on?
Some energy firms charge less in the evenings if you're on a specific tariff.
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You could save cash if you're on an economy 7 or off peak tariff by putting your dishwasher on during less busy times.
Quieter times - when electricity is cheapest - is usually between 10pm and 8am.
The most expensive time would be between 4pm and 7pm, so try to avoid using your machine between these hours, if possible.
That means these customers could shave money off their bill just by washing up at night.
For example, Uswitch crunched the numbers on how much British Gas customers can save using their dishwasher at night compared to during the day.
You can save £150 by using British Gas' off-peak energy times, but these vary - we explain more in our handy explainer.
However, be warned - leaving household appliances on at night while you're asleep could be a fire risk, so make sure you're awake.
You'll only save money if you use as much as 40% of your electricity at night.
How else can I save money on my energy bills?
There are other ways to drive down costs and save money on your energy bills.
To make running a dishwasher cheaper, make sure you scrape all the food from your dishes before loading up the machine.
Aim for a full load but don't put too many items in there.
If your appliance has an "eco" setting, you should use that so it uses less energy and water.
There are other tips to follow if you want to bring down your bills overall.
If you’re on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for thewarm home discount, which gets you £150 off your bills during the winter months.
The cold weather payment is a £25 grant for people on certain benefits when the temperature drops below zero for seven days.
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Buying acheapdraught excludercan help trap warm air in your home, reducing the need to put the heating on.
Usingenergy efficient appliancescan shave money off your annual bill, and making sure your home is well insulated will help retain heat.
