Laundry is a tedious chore that quietly drives up your monthly utility bills. Doing multiple loads a week consumes a massive amount of energy.
But adjusting your schedule can easily lower those costs. We asked appliance and utility experts for the exact best time to press start on your dryer.
Timing Your Laundry for Cheaper Electricity
The most cost-effective time to dry your clothes depends entirely on your utility company’s pricing structure. If you are on a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan, timing is everything.
Nick Barber, cofounder of the prepaid electricity company Utilities Now, advises waiting until the sun goes down. “If you are on a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan, running your dryer late at night or early morning—after about 9 or 10 p.m.—will be cheaper because the demand for electricity is lower and the rates typically are lower,” Barber explains.
Utility providers in most regions charge premium rates during the afternoon and early evening hours, which is when grid consumption hits its peak.
What If You Have a Flat Electricity Rate?
Some households pay a flat rate, meaning electricity costs the same regardless of the hour. In this case, your focus should shift to appliance management.
“The biggest individual energy-saving step is not to use multiple appliances at the same time,” Barber says.
Your dryer draws heavy power. Running it alongside an oven, dishwasher, or air conditioner risks power surges that put unnecessary strain on your home’s electrical system.
The HVAC and Solar Panel Factors
Even on a flat-rate plan, running your dryer at night or early morning remains the optimal choice. The reason comes down to stabilizing your home’s internal temperature.
“Extreme heat or cold makes your HVAC work harder, and running the dryer adds to that load,” says Justin Cornforth, owner of Ace Home Co.
Using a hot dryer on a sweltering afternoon forces your air conditioner to work double-time to cool the house. Operating high-power appliances during off-peak hours also prevents electrical panel overloads and reduces the risk of tripped breakers.
However, solar-powered homes are the main exception. Cornforth recommends running your dryer midday when the sun shines brightest. This allows you to use peak generated energy to dry clothes essentially for free.
Simple Tricks to Cut Your Dryer’s Energy Use
Changing your schedule isn’t the only way to maximize efficiency. Experts recommend several quick adjustments to optimize your laundry routine:
- Clear the lint filter: Always remove lint before every single load to ensure proper airflow.
- Check the spin cycle: Glenn Lewis, president of appliance repair service Mr. Appliance, advises ensuring your washer executes a strong final spin. This extracts maximum moisture before clothes ever reach the dryer.
- Do not overload: Packing the drum too tight restricts air and drastically extends drying time, Barber notes.
- Book annual maintenance: Lewis recommends having a professional inspect your washer and dryer yearly to keep them running at peak performance.
- Air dry: Whenever possible, hanging clothes on a rack or clothesline is the ultimate way to eliminate energy costs entirely.
