There is a trick that, according to experts, thousands of households in the United States are already implementing, and that is helping them reduce consumption and the amount they pay on their energy bills. It is the “Delay Start” button found on practically all washing machines, which allows you to schedule washes even when you are not at home. Why is it useful for reducing consumption? Because it allows you to schedule washes during the cheapest times of the electricity rates, when consumption costs less.
According to experts in laundry at the eco-friendly cleaner ByNext, it is essential to know the schedules of these rates to successfully reduce consumption. Having this information makes it easier to schedule washes during the so-called off-peak hours, when electricity is cheaper. According to the data obtained by PowerLines, Americans report having experienced an increase in their bills compared to last year, and they also acknowledge not being familiar with the state or local regulatory agency that determines their utility bills.
The magic of the delay button
According to energy experts and analysts, more and more households in the United States are incorporating the use of the “Delay Button” into their daily routines, which is available on almost all washing machines. This button allows you to schedule washes, even when you are sleeping or not at home. This simple action can help you reduce your energy consumption and the amount you pay on your monthly energy bill. How do you get this discount?
Very simple, you just need to know the electricity rate schedules. According to energy analysts, electricity rates spike between 7:00 and 10:00 in the morning and again between 5:00 and 8:00 in the evening — the busiest hours for energy use. Knowing this information, all that remains is to get used to using high-energy appliances during the off-peak hours, when electricity is cheaper. According to laundry experts at the eco-friendly cleaner ByNext, “Knowing when electricity is cheaper means you can run appliances more efficiently and save money without changing your routine”.
Time-of-Use plans
Utility companies in the United States offer rates based on the times when fewer people use electricity on the grid. These are known as off-peak hours, generally between 10 PM and 7 AM. They also offer “time-of-use” plans, through which they reward customers who perform high-consumption tasks during discounted windows. This is a benefit not only economically for consumers but also for the electrical grid, as it helps reduce strain during peak hours.
PowerLines
The company PowerLines, dedicated to helping reduce consumers’ energy bills, obtained the following data from customer bills, which has been published in The Us Sun:
- 64% of Americans whose households pay a monthly electricity and gas bill say that these bills have increased compared to a year ago.
- 63% of taxpayers indicate that their electricity and gas bills are adding to their financial stress.
- 48% of all Americans say that the increase in electricity and gas utility bills for consumers like them is a bad sign for the economy.
- 60% of Americans say they are not familiar with the state or local regulatory agency that determines their utility bills. In a separate open-ended question, about 9 out of 10 respondents were unable to correctly name their specific regulatory agency.
Tips to save on the bill
By being aware of energy rates, you can already save something on the bill. Experts also recommend keeping machines in good condition and avoiding excessive machine drying to increase this savings. According to ByNext, using off-peak hours along with efficient laundry habits is “one of the simplest ways to save money and help the planet”.