This one small washing machine change could save you a substantial amount on your energy bills!

It’s no secret that we are desperately trying to cut back on our energy bills as much as possible as the winter months are creeping in. However, there are some things that just can’t be done and if you live in a house with other people, cutting back on washing loads just isn’t going to be possible.

Although, there are some things you can do while using your washer that will really help cut down those energy costs and this one is an important one! Check out this extremely common washing machine mistake that could be bumping up your bills.

Loading your washer

Most people believe that filling your washing machine as much as possible will help save on loads and mean less energy is used. Wrong! This common washing machine mistake is actually costing you more! A washer that’s too full will be trying to wash more than it can actually handle in one go. The weight of the excess laundry will make your appliance have to work harder and it will take longer to heat up and spin.

As well as bumping up your energy bills, overloading your washer can lead to other problems too. As your washing machine is attempting to wash more than it can handle, your items won’t come out as clean as they should. Which, of course, means more washes and more energy used. Doing this can also damage the washing machine itself. Larger loads can affect the internal drum and lead to further faults, which is another expense you can do without.

A washer half full

Ultimately, different washing machines are built to handle different quantities, but as a rule of thumb, you should aim to fill your washing machine halfway to three-quarters full. This will allow some room for your items to spin freely and for your washer to heat up as normal. You should also make sure you aren’t running cycles with too small amounts of laundry either. Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy for just a few items as it will for a larger load.

It’s all about balance

As well as making sure your washer isn’t too full or too empty, you should also make sure you’re washing items of the same weight together too! Washing heavy items such as towels with lighter items such as t-shirts, can lead to an unbalanced load which can mean noisy cycles, appliance damage and more energy usage.

More energy-saving tips from eSpares

For more energy-saving tips and advice for your washing machine as well all other household appliances, download the eSpares energy-saving brochure. This handy leaflet is packed with advice and guidance which could save you up to £650 a year!