How to slash your energy bills with smart appliance use
Nowadays, washing machines and dishwashers are essential appliances that are hard to imagine daily. They are meant to save us time and money. However, in practice, they often consume a lot of electricity, affecting our energy bills. Fortunately, there is a way to change that.
19 June 2024 07:29
A washing machine is now a standard feature in almost every home, and it is hard to imagine daily functioning without it. Similarly, although the dishwasher is a newer invention, owners unanimously consider it one of the best investments.
Although these devices save a lot of time, they have one significant drawback: they consume a lot of energy, which noticeably impacts our bills. But there is a clever way to help reduce these costs.
How much electricity does a washing machine and dishwasher use?
Are you wondering about your washing machine's actual energy consumption? It's not that simple. Much depends on the device's energy class—the higher the class, the lower the power consumption.
The power of most washing machines is between 3.6 to 5.4 gigajoules per year, translating to one wash cycle using approximately 2.5 to 5.4 megajoules. Assuming you use the G11 rate intended for households, the monthly cost of using a washing machine is about 11 CAD. The same applies to dishwashers.
Want to lower your bills? Change your rate plan
Energy suppliers offer several rate groups. The first is intended for households, the second for farms, and the third for companies. Let's focus on the first one. The most popular rate is G11, which costs 0.28 CAD per kWh and is fixed.
The second rate, G12, is divided into peak and off-peak zones. In the off-peak zone, devices consume cheaper energy, which is noticeable in the bills. The cheaper zone costs 0.09 CAD, and the more expensive zone 0.19 CAD per kWh. The last rate, G13, is variable, and the price per kWh depends on the time of year. From April to March, electricity is cheaper from 1 PM to 7 PM and 10 PM to 7 AM. In the autumn-winter season, it is cheaper from 1 PM to 4 PM and 9 PM to 7 AM.
Using the G12 or G13 rate, it is worth planning the use of devices during off-peak hours, especially regarding washing machines and dishwashers. Running them during these hours can save up to 50% on bills, which is a great solution for people working from home or on shifts.
