Main points
- The new scheme offers free use of the washing machine at weekends during excess power supply
- Program available to homes and businesses with smart meters through some energy suppliers
- Designed to promote energy efficiency and support the resilience of the electricity grid.
Created with the help of AI. Quality guaranteed by Metro editors.
Whether we like it or not, for many of us, washing clothes it is something that must be done the weekend.
And while we may plan to keep an organized and empty laundry basket, weeknight plans, the return to office workand those ever-growing to-do lists can take precedence over a Wednesday load of whites.
However, now there’s a good reason to wait until Saturday to get a handle on your laundry pile – and it’s all about the sunshine.
Starting today, April 14, the National Energy System Operator has introduced a new scheme which could allow Britons to use their washing machines for free when there is a power oversupply.
Participating electricity suppliers are expected to offer incentives such as free power when there is plenty to go, building on previous agreements such as cheap off-peak tariffs.
Right now, NESO thinks that’s likely to be when it’s warm outside, because that’s when things like solar panels are likely to generate more electricity than there’s demand for. The same applies to bank holidays.
Households with smart meters – which show live energy consumption to enable easier budgeting – will qualify for the scheme, the timings of which will be shared with suppliers by NESO.
The operator will then pay providers if they are able to increase or decrease demand for that period, and they will decide how to pass this money on to customers.
So far, companies such as British Gas, Equiwatt and Octopus Energy have all reportedly signed up.
Would you take advantage of free electricity for laundry at the weekend?
-
Absolutely, I would save on bills.
-
I would consider it if it is suitable.
-
No, it’s not for me.
NESO says about the new system, called Demand Flexibility Service: ‘For the first time this WINEhomes and businesses will be able to increase their electricity use during periods of oversupply, supporting both system resilience and efficiency.
“This means being rewarded for running appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers during periods of oversupply, if you’re registered with your energy supplier or third-party apps.”
Dr Deborah Petterson, director of resilience and emergency management, described the new system as “well-suited to support a clean future”.
She said: “It puts us in a strong position to manage changing patterns of electricity use during the summer.
“Tools such as the Demand Flexibility Service not only reward consumers and businesses for flexible use of electricity, but also strengthen the resilience and efficiency of the UK’s electricity network.”
Your washing machine is lying to you about how long a cycle is
Analyzing the duration of wash cycles on six different washing machines to find out how long they last in fact run for a 2025 study found that the average washing machine cycle takes 11 minutes, which would explain why we sometimes feel cheated.
A particularly unruly load (each machine was used three times in the same setting) ran for a long 23 minutes. Inappropriate, much?
So what’s behind it, and why are we left cursing an inanimate object every time the cycle betrays us?
As Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, previously explained, the most common reason behind this annoyance is actually the amount of detergent you add.
And if you overdo it, your computer is likely playing catch-up.
“If you add too much to the appliance, it will often take extra time to spin and drain any excess water and detergent residue,” explains Ian.
“Adding excessive amounts of laundry detergent not only increases cycle time, but can also lead to a machine blockage that could result in the need for washing machine repair, so make sure you stick to the recommended amount if using a liquid.”
Have a story to share?
Contact by sending email MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Redeeming Major Sainsbury’s Nectar points gives you cash for transport and taxis
MORE: Iran war ‘will knock £480 off UK household incomes by year end’
MORE: I’m £8,000 in debt because I buy everything I like and budgets annoy me
