Best Time to Run [Appliances](/blog/energy-star-appliances-guide) to Save Money on Electricity

Your electricity costs more at some hours than others — and most people don't know it. If your utility uses time-of-use (TOU) pricing, you could be paying 2–4× more per kWh during peak hours compared to off-peak.

The fix is simple: shift your big appliances to run at night or on weekends.

Do You Have Time-of-Use Rates?

First, check your electricity bill or your utility's website. Look for terms like:

• Time-of-Use (TOU)
• Peak/Off-Peak pricing
• Tiered time pricing

Utilities with TOU rates (partial list):

• PG&E (California)
• SCE (Southern California Edison)
• ConEd (New York)
• ComEd (Illinois)
• Duke Energy (several states)
• Xcel Energy (Colorado, Minnesota)

If you're on flat-rate pricing, the timing of your appliances matters less — but running large loads during hot afternoons still stresses the grid, and many utilities are moving toward TOU pricing.

Typical Peak vs. Off-Peak Hours

| Period | Hours (typical) | Rate | |--------|----------------|------| | Peak | Weekdays 4–9 PM | High ($0.35–$0.55/kWh) | | Off-Peak | Nights, weekends | Low ($0.10–$0.18/kWh) | | Super Off-Peak | Late night (varies) | Lowest ($0.05–$0.12/kWh) |

Exact times vary by utility and season. Always check your specific rate schedule.

Example math: Running your dryer (5 kWh) at 7 PM costs $1.75–$2.75 on TOU pricing. Running it at 11 PM costs $0.50–$0.90. Do that daily: $450–$680/year difference.

Appliance-by-Appliance Guide

Dishwasher

Best time: 9 PM – 7 AM (or set the delay start before you go to bed)

Most modern dishwashers have a delay start feature — set it to run at midnight and wake up to clean dishes, not a peak-rate charge.

Annual kWh: 270–350 kWh/year for an efficient model Peak-to-off-peak savings: $25–$60/year

Washing Machine

Best time: 9 PM – 7 AM on weekdays, anytime on weekends

Washing machines use 500W–2,000W depending on water temperature. Always use cold water — it's just as effective for most laundry and costs $0 to heat.

Bonus tip: Use the delay start on your washer so clothes finish right as you wake up — no mildew smell from sitting wet overnight.

Annual kWh (cold wash): 100–150 kWh Annual kWh (hot wash): 500–700 kWh Peak-to-off-peak savings: $15–$40/year

Dryer

Best time: Nighttime or weekend mornings

The dryer is one of your highest-draw appliances at 5,000–6,000W. It also generates heat, which forces your AC to work harder if you run it in the afternoon in summer.

Upgrade tip: A heat pump dryer uses 50% less electricity than a conventional dryer.

Electric Vehicle Charging

Best time: 11 PM – 6 AM (super off-peak)

EV charging is where TOU pricing makes the biggest dollar difference. A typical EV needs 10–15 kWh per day of driving.

| Scenario | Daily Cost (peak) | Daily Cost (off-peak) | Annual Savings | |----------|------------------|----------------------|----------------| | Average EV driver | $4.50–$7.50 | $1.00–$2.70 | $300–$1,700 |

Set your car's scheduled charging through the vehicle app (Tesla, Chevy Bolt, Nissan LEAF, etc.) or use a smart EVSE:

Pool Pump

Best time: Run during off-peak hours, reduce runtime overall

Pool pumps are often the hidden electricity hog — they run 8–12 hours/day on old single-speed models. Two fixes:

1. Switch to a variable-speed pump — saves 70–90% vs. single-speed
2. Schedule off-peak hours — run midnight to 8 AM for filtering

Water Heater

Best time: Heat up during off-peak, maintain temperature overnight

If you have an electric water heater, use a simple outlet timer to heat the tank during off-peak hours and let it maintain temperature. Most tanks hold heat for 6–8 hours well.

For gas water heaters, timing doesn't affect cost (gas rates are typically flat). But lowering temperature to 120°F saves 5–10% regardless.

Set It and Forget It: Smart Home Automation

The easiest way to shift your appliances to off-peak is automation:

Option 1: Smart plugs with scheduling — $15–$25 each, works for any plug-in appliance

Option 2: Smart power strips — control multiple devices, protect electronics from surges

Option 3: Utility-connected smart thermostats — some utilities will directly control your thermostat during peak events in exchange for bill credits

How Much Can You Actually Save?

| Household | Annual TOU Savings Potential | |-----------|----------------------------| | Average family, 1 EV | $400–$800 | | Average family, no EV | $100–$300 | | Pool owner | $200–$500 additional |

These are conservative estimates. Your actual savings depend on your utility's rate spread, how consistently you shift loads, and how many large appliances you have.

What If I Don't Have TOU Rates?

Even on flat rates, running your dryer at 11 PM instead of 6 PM:

• Reduces heat load on your AC in summer
• Avoids stressing the local grid (which may eventually push your utility toward TOU)
• Extends appliance life slightly (motors run cooler when ambient temps are lower)

And if your utility doesn't offer TOU rates yet, call them and ask — many offer opt-in programs.

Quick Reference: Best Times to Run Each Appliance

| Appliance | Best Time | Why | |-----------|-----------|-----| | Dishwasher | 9 PM – 7 AM | Off-peak rates, delay-start | | Washing machine | 9 PM – 7 AM weekdays | Off-peak + water heating savings | | Dryer | 10 PM – 8 AM | Off-peak + less AC load | | EV charger | 11 PM – 6 AM | Super off-peak maximum savings | | Pool pump | Midnight – 8 AM | Off-peak + coolest ambient temps | | Water heater | 10 PM – 6 AM | Heat then coast through day |

The best approach: check your utility's specific peak hours, then set delay-start or smart plug schedules once. After that, the savings happen automatically.